North Devon Biosphere launches community environmental action project

The North Devon UNESCO Biosphere has launched a new project aimed at engaging communities across the region. 

Backed by over £900,000 in funding from the National Lottery’s Climate Action Fund, the initiative will run for the next three-and-a-half years, empowering local groups and individuals to drive nature recovery and develop sustainable solutions to environmental and social challenges in North Devon and Torridge.

The project focuses on increasing youth involvement in climate action and nature engagement through activities such as wildlife and landscape connections, citizen science, and green skills development. 

It will also establish Climate Hubs to provide support and guidance to local communities.

Four 'Community Animators' have been employed to work with residents in Appledore, Ashreigney and Chulmleigh, Bideford, and South Molton. 

Their roles will expand to include more communities as the project progresses.

Tom Humphreys, Project Co-ordinator, said: “What's really exciting about this project is the opportunity to work hand-in-hand with communities over a significant period of time. In this way, we can support them to become stronger and more effective in dealing with the challenges that taking action on climate change and helping nature's recovery present at the local level.”

To better understand community challenges and opportunities for climate action and biodiversity, the project team is conducting a public survey. 

Tom added: “We want to enable as many people as possible across the Biosphere to tell us about their experiences and views, so this seems like the right time to expand on the work we've been doing with communities and community development networks across northern Devon and talk to a wider audience about the project and invite responses to the survey.”

Peony Knight, Community Animator for South Molton, encouraged participation, saying: “We're really keen to hear about views and experiences from as wide a range of people across the Biosphere as possible. Some people often feel left out of conversations that affect them and their area, so we really want to encourage anyone who feels they wouldn't usually have a say to take part. That's why my colleagues and I have organised a series of drop-in sessions to talk to people and help them answer the survey. We have also prepared surveys for children so we can learn what we can do to help young people engage with nature and take climate action.”

Anyone who lives, studies, or works within the North Devon UNESCO Biosphere can take part in the survey here: bit.ly/BioDevSurvey.

Young people under 16 can complete a survey with parental consent by filling out this form: bit.ly/BioDevU16form.

The survey closes on Friday, 28 February, with several drop-in sessions available for those who need assistance completing it:

Bideford:

• Tuesday 18 February – Bideford Library, 10am - 1pm & 2pm - 4pm
• Thursday 27 February – Bideford Library, 10.30 - 11.30am

South Molton:

• Thursday 13 February – South Molton Library, 10 - 11.30am
• Thursday 20 February – South Molton Library, 10 - 11.30am

For those unable to attend a session but requiring assistance, support is available via biosphere-mailbox@devon.gov.uk.