Most of us take more from nature than we give back, disrupting the delicately balanced natural ecosystems that provide us with everything we need. Fortunately, Nature-based Solutions are readily available, and Devon is the perfect place to scale them. The Devon Environment Foundation (DEF) was set up to identify the most effective local projects using Nature-based Solutions and provide the financial boost they need to accelerate and amplify their impact.
Devon enjoys diverse, valuable wildlife habitats including woodlands, wetlands, moorlands, meadows, hedgerows, rivers, estuaries, and many more beneath the surface of its coastal waters. Over recent decades, Devon’s natural assets have significantly diminished. To restore nature’s balance they require urgent, transformative action to protect what is left and regenerate what has been lost, DEF channels vital funding and support to local projects to enable them to achieve their goals, expand, and share best practice to replicate the benefits in neighbouring areas.
The Badur Foundation supported DEF in the early stages of its formation, as well as taking a place on its Steering Committee in its first year of operation. While many environmental initiatives focus on single issues, DEF supports projects that fall into three broad themes: landscape regeneration, river restoration, and marine conservation.
DEF’s vision is to see at least 30% of Devon ‘for nature’ by 2030. They intend to fulfil this by working with local partners to implement bold nature regeneration projects that can be replicated and scaled, enabling local nature recovery to leave a positive legacy for future generations. DEF is now in its third year, having supported projects ranging from a regenerative agriculture training school, to seaweed farming and beach clean-ups. As an established organisation in Devon, DEF are now encouraging more projects to start-up, enhancing their impact by sharing their expertise as well as financial support. DEF will continue to fill a crucial funding gap for smaller, innovative projects, directing funds where they are needed quickly to unlock maximum returns for nature.
The Foundation is pleased to support DEF for a third year following a successful partnership working towards the shared goal of supporting grassroots projects that regenerate nature, especially those that can be replicated and scaled.
