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What needs to be done?

Wildlife is under extreme threat from climate change and loss of habitat.  Without our concerted efforts to rebuild habitats in our gardens, farmlands, riverbanks and seashore - some species are tottering on the brink of extinction. Local action to monitor, rebuild and conserve our wildlife is of great importance and very rewarding.  Nature wants to live, and will live, if we give it a chance.

What are we doing?

Our Challenge

 

Our Campaign​

  • Raise awareness of how our landscape and habitats in Bigbury have changed since the Industrial Revolution​.

  • Explore opportunities in Bigbury to restore and protect habitats and create wildlife corridors to help wildlife to thrive. 
  • Reduce pollution of our land and marine landscape. 

  • Create a Community Chest where parishioners and businesses can apply for  small grants to help nature thrive in Bigbury.​​​

Wildlife Friendly Gardens

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What have we done? 

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  • BNZ purchased or printed garden wildlife booklets created by Devon Wildlife Trust and The Habitat Group on how to create wildlife friendly gardens - ponds, bug hotels, hedgehog havens, composting and more!

  • Booklets are freely available from the telephone box BNZ Info Hub outside Holywell Stores.

  • We have promoted the DWT Wilder Communities programme and the DWT Garden Plaque scheme.

Next Steps

  • Map all the garden plaques in Bigbury​​​​

Bigbury
Map Project

​What have we done?​​​​

  • We have used the 1843 Tithe Map to plot the land-use across Bigbury parish and an 1890s map to plot field boundaries.

  • We have also constructed a 2023 land-use map in order to set targets for restoring hedges, meadows, orchards and woodlands.  ​​​

Next Steps​

  • Seek funding to provide identification equipment, train local volunteers to identify wildlife and undertake an annual BioBlitz (survey of local flora and fauna).  We would publish this information on an interactive map of Bigbury detailing our natural habitats and wildlife gardens. 

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Bigbury
Gardeners

What have we done?​​​

  • Set up a WhatsApp group of local gardeners to share information, solve problems, celebrate gardening achievements and create a community of Bigbury Gardeners.  achievements gardening in a coastal area. 

  • Organised seed and plants swap events at the Pickwick

  • Collaborated with the Pickwick and Force4Nature to create a wildlife garden at the pub. 

Next Steps​

  • Hold an annual plant and seed swap event

  • Invite parishioners to  join in an Open Garden programme in 2025 to share the love. 

Plastic Free Bigbury Bay

What have we done? ​​​

  • Collaborated with 'Til the Coast is Clear to raise awareness the scale of plastic pollution of the sea and its effect on marine life.

  • Hosted the Til the Coast is Clear giant Whaley with Mount Folly Farm to make the public aware of the scale of the local problem. 

  • Surveyed initiatives of local businesses aiming to reduce the use of plastic in their service to customers or what they retail in their shops in Bigbury. 

  • Co-managed beach cleans with the Wave Project. 

Next Steps

  • Seek funding to co-create a local guide to plastic free homes, businesses and farms by signposting the achievements and ambitions of our local community.

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Avon River Champions

What we have done​​​

  • Supported Bigbury Parish Council's scrutiny of publicly available data and observations on local sewage pollution from South West water and private sewage systems to inform local engagement on resolving these pollution incidents.

  • Shared information from Avon River Champions about the Reasons for Not Achieveing Good (ecological status) in the River Avon.

​Next Steps

  • Promote citizen scientist investigations

  • Recognise the efforts of our local farms, restaurants, hotels, holiday homes, clubs and pubs to provide river-sensitive products and services - and encourage them to do more.

  • Campaign for 'only poo, pee and paper down the loo' and to 'use water wisely' slow down storm water drainage and sewer overspills. 

  • Scrutinise of South West Water services and demand improvements. 

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

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