Our purpose

2. Our purpose 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.

3. Ministerial backing • 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)

4. Why is Natural Devon needed? 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…….

5. 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.

6. Our environment underpins life • 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)

7. Complexity North Devon Biosphere Reserve Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority National Parks West Country Rivers Trust Natural England Developers Community Council of Devon Gov deps Exeter University Schools Farmers FWAG SW RSPB Fishermen Active Devon AONBs Forestry sector NationalTrust South West Water Devon Wildlife Trust GPs Marine Management Organisation Public Health Local Authorities Businesses Forestry Commission Local Enterprise Partnership River Basin Liaison Panel Environment Agency Plymouth University

8. Added value 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

9. Partnership structure • 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

10. Board members (nominated by their sector) • 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

11. The Board (+ Nick Baker!)

12. Aims Three aims and seven priorities have been agreed - following consultation with Forum members Aims: • To protect and improve Devon’s natural environment – led by Harry Barton • To grow Devon’s green economy – led by Suzanne Goodfellow • To reconnect Devon’s people with nature – led by Elaine Cook

13. Seven Themes ‘Green Connections’ - Nicola Bulbeck ‘Outdoor Learning’ - David Weatherley ‘Naturally Healthy’ - Dr Virginia Pearson ‘Resilient wetlands’ - John Holmes ‘Wood for Good’ - Corinna Woodall ‘Farming with Nature’ - Robin Milton ‘Sustainable Seas’ - Professor Martin Attrill

14. Themes….. • 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

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

16. 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 .

17. 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 .

18. 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 .