Transformative New Investment

One of the UK’s most ambitious rewilding projects has been made possible thanks to significant new investment from The National Lottery Heritage Fund. 

Thanks to National Lottery players, Tor to Shore aims to create a thriving landscape rich in wildlife, from the large granite boulders and heights of Helman Tor in central Cornwall, through the Par River and surrounding farmland, to Cornwall’s south coast. The project will also protect and restore marine habitats in St Austell Bay, including maerl beds that have potentially existed for more than 4,000 years.

Cornwall Wildlife Trust has been awarded a £265,000 development grant to progress plans and introduce pioneering conservation techniques, including the implementation of rewilding principles at Helman Tor nature reserve. This could lead to over £3 million of further funding for nature in Cornwall. 

Cornwall may be famed for its rugged coastline and turquoise waters, but this natural beauty masks the hard truth that wildlife is in trouble – both on land and at sea. The most recent State of Nature report for Cornwall revealed that almost a quarter of mammals and butterfly species are at risk of extinction, and that the ‘richest’ sites for wildlife are too disconnected from each other.

At the heart of Cornwall Wildlife Trust’s ambitions for the area are plans to bring together people and communities from all backgrounds to act for, connect with and benefit from nature. 

Matt Walpole, Chief Executive of Cornwall Wildlife Trust, says, “Nature in Cornwall needs more than Cornwall Wildlife Trust’s efforts alone if we’re to reverse its current decline. It needs more people, from all spheres, to take action. By working collaboratively across the project area, Tor to Shore will mobilise and support communities, businesses, farmers, fishers, statutory bodies and others to get behind nature, benefiting wildlife, our economy and our wellbeing.” 

Tor to Shore’s development phase will engage stakeholders in the project area to lay the groundwork for a community-focused approach for nature’s recovery across land and sea.

Discover more… 

Cornwall Wildlife Trust is asking people local to the project area from all backgrounds to get in touch if they would like to get involved. Email tortoshore@cornwallwildlifetrust.org.uk or visit: www.cornwallwildlifetrust.org.uk/tor-to-shore 

CORNWALL WILDLIFE TRUST
Cornwall Wildlife Trust, Five Acres,
Allet, Truro TR4 9DJ
www.cornwallwildlifetrust.org.uk