Expanding and accelerating nature restoration in Devon

Britain is one of the most nature depleted countries in the world. The State of Nature 2023 report revealed that wildlife species have declined by an average of 19% since 1970. This figure is much higher for some groups, with 1 in 6 UK wildlife species at risk of extinction.

We can see this decline of nature on our doorstep, with shrinking green spaces in our neighbourhoods, quieter birdsong, and fewer sightings of bees, butterflies, hedgehogs, and other much loved species. 

But the good news is that nature can rebound quickly if we just give it the time and space to do so.

Restoring nature is a very cost effective way to tackle multiple challenges simultaneously - mitigating the effects of climate change, while increasing human health and wellbeing by providing more opportunities for nature connection.

Devon Environment Foundation (DEF) was set up in July 2020, in response to the climate and nature emergencies, to increase the amount of funding directed towards local environmental initiatives.

We specialise in identifying the most innvoative and impactful grassroots nature restoration projects, and inspiring people and businesses to support them with vital kick-start or scale-up support.

We're an independent, agile charity that directs funds where they are needed quickly to deliver the greatest benefits for nature.

We fill a funding gap for smaller, pioneering projects requiring flexible funding and mentoring support to get up and running.

In our experience, relatively small amounts of funding, strategically directed, can supercharge the work of small projects delivering positive environmental change on the ground.

Since 2020, we've awarded over £1.2 million in direct grants, supporting 87 projects, working with 43 project partners. (April 2025).

You can see the wide range of projects we have enabled HERE.

Why we focus on nature restoration in Devon?

Devon's rural landscape straddles two coastlines, two moors, and a patchwork of woodlands, wetlands, meadows, hedgerows, rivers, and estuaries. Once a haven for biodiverse wildlife on land and in its coastal waters - intensive farming, escalating housing development, and industrial fishing have severely diminished nature in Devon.

Increasing biodiversity draws more carbon from the atmosphere, locking it into plants, wildlife, and the soil microbiome. Thriving ecosystems regulate water flow, decreasing decrease floods and droughts, whilst reducing run-off and other pollution.

We're excited by the power of grassroots nature restoration to tackle the climate and nature crises, while igniting hope and wider action.

Why are we Crowdfunding?

We are oversubscribed with incredible projects and need to access new sources of funding to be able to support as many as possible.

Our mission is to secure more funding for environmental initiatives by showcasing what can be achieved by grassroots projects and pilot schemes. We do this via our social media, e-newsletter, and at events.

Donating to DEF enables you to join forces with other people who love nature and Devon, pooling your funds to amplify your impact, and share in the successes and innovation generated by total funds raised.

We receive applications on a quarterly basis, so we constantly hear of new inspiring work that needs funding. 

Some recent examples that our fundraising has enabled include:

• start up costs for an ambitious new wetland habitat in mid Devon,
• a pilot trialling the use of mycelium and biochar to clean up river water pollution,
• a project enhancing the River Exe for salmon passage,
• and many more! 

See our grants page to see the range of projects we have support.

Our approach is designed to catalyse positive change, lighting the blue touch paper to empower our project partners to scale and amplify their vital work.

After funding is disbursed we keep in close contact, providing mentoring and guidance, and sharing our networks, expertise, and experience to give the best chance of success.

We help grantees measure and communicate their impact, and showcase their successes to raise awareness among potential future partners, stakeholders and donors to leverage further financial support for nature restoration.

We use our network to enable local champions to share best practice, scale, and replicate – amplifying their impact for nature in Devon and beyond.

Donating to our crowdfunder will enable us to fund many more nature restoration projects in Devon.

Some of our corporate supporters include:
Olympus Power, Rockfish, Vivobarefoot, Salcombe Brewery, Hattiers Rum, Depeche Mode, Hublot, Regatta Clothing, DryRobe, Vu Online, and many more. We are very grateful for all their support.

Grantee Quote:

"DEF’s support, encouragement, guidance, and funding allowed us to dream big and develop a beacon training centre that is playing a key role in growing the future of regenerative farming in Devon and beyond." - Rachel Phillips, Apricot Centre

Donor Quote:

"We support DEF because of their knowledge of grassroots nature-positive projects in Devon and their agility getting funding to those projects quickly. Biodiversity is critical to Devon’s economy, on which we and our clients depend, so we believe we have a responsibility to give something back." - Richard Wain, Vu Online

We would love you to support DEF’s mission so we can seed even more local nature restoration projects, and showcase their successes to inspire hope and wider action.

More about us...

DEF is a UK branch of the Conservation Collective, an environmental charity on a mission to protect and restore the wild places we all know and love. With founder Ben Goldsmith at the helm, CC’s growing global network of 20 local foundations channels funds to impactful grassroots initiatives that protect natural habitats, restore native species, reduce pollution, and build climate resilience.

We have a small team of Devon-based employees, supported by an Advisory Board of leading local nature experts who generously share their insights and time to help optimise our grant-making process. 

Our Steering Committee is a group of donors that cover our core costs and steer our strategic direction. Find out more about us here.

Some of DEF's board, the DEF team and one of our grantees (Friends of the Dart) - October 2024 in Kingswear, South Devon.

(Left to right: Wynne Griffiths, Philip Everett-Lyons, Amanda Keetley, Hannah Pearson, Mitch Tonks, Maisie Layla Gass, Simon Nicholls, Tom Amey.)

"Nature-based solutions are the biggest source of hope. If we learn to share space better with nature and recognise its true value, we will be rewarded by seeing it recover and thrive." - Amanda Keetley, Executive Director, DEF

IMPACT SNAPSHOT - November 2024