Supported by a grant from Natural England, the Kingsbridge based Community Interest Company, Till the Coast is Clear is rolling out an exciting project over the coming winter months to help regenerate some of South Devon’s natural habitats.

The Active Regeneration project starts on Wednesday, November 17, and for sixteen weeks will provide local volunteers with the opportunity to get hands on with some really exciting nature regenerating initiatives happening locally.

Volunteers can expect to be learning to forage wild food from hedgerows and the seashore one week, followed by planting trees, restoring hedgerows and learning about the next permaculture.

A planned trip to the Waste to Energy Incinerator in Plymouth will be included, as well as a variety of plastic pollution clean-up excursions to the coast.

Till the Coast is Clear director Gary Jolliffe said: “Whilst our main focus continues to be the clearing of plastic pollution from inaccessible parts of our coast and shorelines, it is clear that the opportunity to properly appreciate nature and to learn regenerative skills is not available to all. “It is essential that everyone has the chance to embrace and fall in love with what is around them and that only comes from hands on involvement and a feeling of being part of it. “I genuinely believe that we can dramatically improve our situation if we ensure that more of us have and are able to take the opportunity to feel engaged and able to make a difference.

The project is open to anyone who is available on a Wednesday from 10 am till 4pm who is relatively fit and able.

Minibus transport is available from the Cattle Market carpark, Kingsbridge in an effort to help reduce multiple vehicle use.

Volunteers can dip in and out of the program as their time time allows with one of the goals being to attract 100 new participants over the course of the 16-weeks.

No special equipment or experience is required, just a pair of wellies, a packed lunch and a willingness to get hands on and learn new skills are all you need to bring along.

Gary added: “this is going to be a lot of fun, it is really exciting learning new skills and so rewarding to share with others what you have already picked up.

“Once you have experienced a fireside cuppa in good company, whilst soaking up some of the glorious views we are lucky to have, there is no going back”.

Martin Longley, Natural England’s adviser said: “It is great to be supporting Till the Coast is Clear efforts to help enable more people to get out in nature over the coming winter months, especially so for those who might not normally

have the opportunity to access the many great regenerative projects happening across South Devon.

“Getting more trees in the ground and the wilding of appropriate spaces are both really important parts of the challenge to reverse the climate and biodiversity crisis”.

For more information, please visit the website www.tillthecoastisclear.co.uk and click on the Active Regeneration tab.

If you would like to confirm your interest or have any questions, please feel free to email: [email protected] or call on 07817910115