To maximise collaboration between all relevant organisations, partnerships and individuals in order to:

ensure that a healthy natural environment underpins a high

quality of life across Devon with a strong green economy and

healthy communities.

Our purpose

• The need for LNPs to be established (and to work alongside Local Enterprise Partnerships and Health and Wellbeing Boards) was recognised in the 2011 Natural Environment White Paper.

• Natural Devon was given LNP status by Ministers in late 2012

along with 50 other LNPs in England.

• Natural Devon covers Devon (including Torbay but not Plymouth)

Ministerial backing

Our quality of life is generally high. However Devon faces a number of challenges:

• Population growth • Economy (low wages / seasonal employment)• Climate change• Continued impacts on our wildlife and habitats• A complex world of organisations, sectors, funding, priorities…….

Why is Natural Devon needed?

State of Devon’s Nature

The 2013 report showed that Devon continues to support an amazing diversity of wildlife. However:

• Species in danger of extinction in Devon include the water vole, breeding curlew, ring ouzel and high brown fritillary butterfly.

• Only around a third of our rivers are in good condition.

• Many of our lowland grasslands are under grazed and threatened by scrub encroachment.

• The value of our environment is generally taken for granted and often not valued in decision making.– The health value of the UK’s green spaces is £30 billion a year– The cost of replacing pollination services provided by bees is ~ £1.8 billion a

year in the UK– Visitors to the East Devon coast spend over £250 million each year– The value of Brixham’s landing is £22 million a year

‘There is no business on a dead planet’(Petter Stordalen, Norwegian businessman and billionaire)

Our environment underpins life

Complexity

Exeter University Schools

Community Council of Devon

South West Water

Developers

Active DevonFarmers

Natural England

Devon Wildlife Trust

RSPB

AONBs

National

Parks

National Trust

GPs

Public Health

Local Authorities

Forestry Commission

Environment Agency

Marine Management Organisation

West Country Rivers Trust

Businesses

Forestry sector

Fishermen

Local Enterprise

Partnership

Plymouth University

Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority

Gov deps

FWAG SW

North Devon Biosphere Reserve

River Basin Liaison

Panel

We need an umbrella partnership which can:

• Improve communication and awareness• Forge links• Provide a common evidence base• Champion priorities• Speak with one voice and influence decisions• Help to unlock resources

Added value

• Chair – Suzanne Goodfellow

• Board – Represents the wide range of sectors, provides leadership

• Executive Group - Supports the Board

• Forum - provides an ‘umbrella’ for anyone with an interest in securing the benefits of a healthy natural environment.

• Coordinator - Sarah Jennings, DCC

Partnership structure

• Suzanne Goodfellow – Independent Chair

• Wildlife NGOs represented by Harry Barton, CEO of Devon Wildlife Trust

• Community sector represented by Elaine Cook, CEO of the Community Council of Devon

• Health sector represented by Dr Virginia Pearson, Director of Public Health for Devon

• Local Authorities represented by Nicola Bulbeck, CEO of Teignbridge District Council

• Schools represented by David Weatherly, School Improvement Adviser

• Farmers represented by Robin Milton, Exmoor farmer

• Protected Landscapes represented by Corinna Woodall, Tamer Valley AONB

• Defra family represented by John Holmes, Natural England Area Manager

• Higher education represented by Professor Martin Attrill, Director of the Marine Institute, Plymouth University

Board members (nominated by their sector)

The Board (+ Nick Baker!)

Three aims and seven priorities have been agreed - following consultation with Forum members

Aims:1. To protect and improve Devon’s natural environment –

led by Harry Barton2. To grow Devon’s green economy – led by Suzanne

Goodfellow3. To reconnect Devon’s people with nature – led by

Elaine Cook

Aims

Seven Themes

‘Naturally Healthy’- Dr Virginia Pearson

‘Green Connections’- Nicola Bulbeck

‘Outdoor Learning’- David Weatherley

‘Farming with Nature’- Robin Milton

‘Wood for Good’- Corinna Woodall

‘Resilient wetlands’- John Holmes

‘Sustainable Seas’- Professor Martin Attrill

• Each theme has a vision. • Leads are developing a simple action plan (based on a gap analysis /

identifying actions needed to help achieve the vision)

Example – Vision for Naturally Healthy• Everyone in Devon has the opportunity and the confidence to be

‘naturally active’ in order to improve their health and wellbeing.

For more information see the website (www.naturaldevon.org.uk) and Prospectus

Themes…..

Influence• Input into the LEP’s strategies and structure• Input into New Environmental Land Management Scheme • Supporting funding bids which help to meet our aims• 2014 Ministerial visit to Devon

Evidence• Published a Devon State of Environment report• Published a report on barriers to people being naturally active

How Natural Devon is making a difference. Examples……..

Forging links / combining funds

• Health and environment sectors working together - research into barriers, workshop to bring people together, National Park health projects

• Health and outdoor education sectors working together on a new schools project

• Marine partners developing an environmental action plan • Forestry, energy and environment sectors taking forward wood

fuel work

.

Improved communication

• Website beginning to be used as an information hub - www.naturaldevon.org.uk

• Newsletter to all Forum members

• Successful conference held in March 2014 – 140 delegates from a wide range of sectors

.

Natural Devon is about us all working better together to ensure that Devon stays fantastic.

How can you help?

To get involved contact a Board member, Executive member or the Coordinator – nature@devon.org.uk

.