We celebrate the unique natural environment of the South Hams, and it’s important to protect, enhance and restore it now and for future generations. Despite the negative messages of nature in trouble, we find the good news and stories from individuals, groups and companies who all have nature at the heart of their work. We are here to share that, and to inspire and help you to start your own project or group.

Learn more

To see some real changes we need to find a tipping point of just 1 in 4 people*, where nature becomes a part of everyone’s everyday lives. Much of this can happen from within our own communities, so it’s important we keep the subject of nature high on our agendas.

There are already some energetic groups out there in the South Hams, with inspirational projects taking place all year round. We’ve listed just a few of them. We know there are plenty more and if you’d like to add yours then fill in the form – it doesn’t take long!

Our field trips, news and blogs are there to inspire you, to take back to your groups and communities, to spread the word and start the cascading effect. 

It may be that you or your group has a particular interest – say in holding a bat event. You can find out how to do that on our resources page, with plenty of other links to websites and documents if you wish to drill down into a particular subject.

We are trying to add information and inspiration as we go along and keep it relevant and up to date, and we need you to help us do that so please share your experiences, your knowledge or your project with us by contacting info@sussh.org. Or if you have a specific question you would like help with, contact our nature mentor Ruth Saunders ruth@sussh.org

There are a number of larger charities who offer support and help to communities and individuals who would like to get nature back on track, either through practical help, forums or excellent websites. Some are already listed with us, but if you’ve found a particular charity helpful to you then please share it with us.

* The Devon Wildlife Trust believe that the tipping point is reached if as few as 1 in 4 people in Devon are actively engaged with nature.

News

The State of the South Hams' Rivers

The State of the South Hams' Rivers

With the Sustainable South Hams Rivers Assembly coming up in less than a month, find out more about the current state of our rivers, the challenges we are facing and the actions we can take to help make the South Hams’ rivers some of the cleanest and most wildlife friendly in the country.

February 28, 2023
Join us at the SusSH Rivers Assembly

Join us at the SusSH Rivers Assembly

Following the success of last year's Sustainable South Hams Assembly, we're excited to announce that our first subject-specific Assembly will be taking place in March, focusing on Rivers.

February 15, 2023
Feel-Good Community Engagement at Slapton's Free Tree Hub

Feel-Good Community Engagement at Slapton's Free Tree Hub

Slapton's Free Tree Hub offered a great reason for a gathering, getting people talking about their local patch, asking questions about nature, and taking away a small tree planting action plan.

January 18, 2023

Groups

Westcountry Rivers Trust

Westcountry Rivers Trust

We have been restoring and protecting freshwater environments in the Westcountry for more than 25 years. Our Mission is to restore and protect the rivers, lakes, and estuaries of the Westcountry for the benefit of nature, people, and local economies. Our Vision is to see people helping our Westcountry rivers flow freely and teem with life and valuing our vital natural resource, water.

100+
Volunteers
Charity
Project Cost
The Deer Wood Trust

The Deer Wood Trust

Practical, nature based experiential learning and well-being are at the core of what we offer. Through our courses the vital message of conservation and real sustainability are integrated into the experiential learning process. Ultimately we are establishing Deer Wood as hub of low impact ‘Green Learning’ excellence by aligning ourselves with other similarly oriented organisations.

Volunteers
Community Association
Project Cost
Devon Wildlife Trust

Devon Wildlife Trust

Volunteers
Charity
Project Cost

Projects

See the Possibilities of Long-Term Rewilding

See the Possibilities of Long-Term Rewilding

Dittiscombe Rewilding offers a great example of how land can be transformed

5-20
Volunteers
£5k - £50k
Project Cost
Support a thriving population of a re-introduced species

Support a thriving population of a re-introduced species

The Gara Water Vole Reintroduction Project is an exciting reintroduction project

5-20
Volunteers
£5k - £50k
Project Cost
Encourage Biodiversity Profitably

Encourage Biodiversity Profitably

How Tallet Meadow Farm turned pasture land into productive orchards.

5-20
Volunteers
£5k - £50k
Project Cost