Biodiversity

Biodiversity

Enhancing biodiversity on council land

In 2020, South Hams District Council declared a Climate and Biodiversity Emergency.

This reflects worrying evidence about the declining state of nature globally and in the UK. There have been significant reductions in numbers and diversity of birds, mammals and invertebrates (bees, butterflies, beetles, moths, etc), and loss of quality habitat upon which they rely.

The South Hams is not immune to this decline.

The Council recognises the need for us to play our part by creating and restoring more biodiverse green spaces and verges to provide value to a wide range of wildlife.

Wildflower areas will support many more and varied pollinators compared to amenity grass areas, while adding trees to these spaces offers more opportunities to wildlife for food, shelter, nesting sites and each tree can be an ecosystem in itself.

We consulted South Hams residents in 2021 and received over 1,000 responses (the highest response rate to any survey we had conducted) with overwhelmingly positive and supportive responses.

  • Over 97% of residents that responded were in favour of general principle of improving biodiversity and wildlife value
  • Over 90% of residents were in favour of:
    • relaxation of cutting regimes
    • leaving areas of long grass on verges and peripheries of parks
    • new areas of wildflower planting.

Learn more

Other work in the South Hams

  • The council has eliminated the use of peat compost and glyphosate on its own land (except for use on invasive weeds, particularly Japanese knotweed for which there is no apparent feasible alternative)
  • We act as the accountable body for the Farming in Protected Landscapes Programme. Through the programme, farmers and land managers can be supported to carry out projects that support nature, climate, people and place.
  • The council is both partner and accountable body for the Life on the Edge Project. Life on the Edge is a 5 year project which aims to work with farmers, landowners and the local community to make a difference for rare and endangered invertebrates on the South Devon Coast.
  • Read the South Devon National Landscape Management Plan. This plan sets out objectives, policies and actions for the future of the national landscape and has been adopted by South Hams District Council.