Who we are

Modbury Wildlife Action Group was started in 2019 when a group of like-minded friends in Modbury decided it was time to address the issue of loss of biodiversity, essentially on a local level.
We are trying to make a difference through our practical actions, and through engagement with the local community. We aim to enthuse and gently educate other residents, especially younger people, drawing them into making greater efforts to help our local wildlife and the environment which supports it in the broadest sense. We aim to help others appreciate nature and the environment in which they live, and in time inspire them to take action to protect it.

Aims

1. To promote for the benefit of the public the conservation, protection and improvement of the physical and natural environment of the town of Modbury and its environs.
2. To identify and undertake manageable projects which develop and improve the flora and fauna of the area.
3. To engage in the education of the public in the conservation, protection and improvement of the physical and natural environment.
4. To promote and develop natural resources for the benefit of the public to use and enjoy as means of improving their personal well-being.
5. To establish and maintain natural areas for the benefit of wildlife and the general public.

Activities

Key activities include collaborating with the Parochial Church Council to restore natural habitats in the churchyard, managing grassy areas and verges by seeding wildflowers and adjusting mowing schedules with Parish Council contractors, and planting native hedges to support local wildlife. Wildlife monitoring is conducted through annual bird and hedgehog counts, while community outreach involves regular articles in the Modbury Magazine. We work on collaborative projects with the Parish Council, such as creating a garden within a playground, and assists the PTA in establishing a sensory garden at the school, where children are also introduced to birdwatching. The project includes learning about local moths and bats with experts, and each year, we run a Naturefest event that brings together various local environmental groups.

Recent highlights for our group include connections with Wild About the River Erme (WATER) and the Bat Conservation Trust, as well as with Connecting People and Landscapes, led to two community bat walks and set the foundation for longer-term collaboration at a local wildlife-focused farm. Through Life on the Edge, we have engaged underrepresented community members in nature activities and involved them in Naturefest. Another key moment was a visit to the rewilding site at the Sharpham estate to meet with Ambios.