Green Minds (Plymouth)

Families playing in a Plymouth green space as part of an Active Neighbourhoods event

Photo, Rosie Mansell

Green Minds (Plymouth)

Giving a voice to nature in the city

Plymouth is a large city of over 250,000 people in South Devon. Within and around the city are large green spaces, such as Central Park and Saltram, as well as many smaller parks. Just as important are the wonderful blue spaces – the ocean vistas of Plymouth Sound, as well as the estuaries of the Tamar and Plym rivers.

People looking at tray with collection of seeds and insects

What was Green Minds?

Green Minds ran from 2019-2023 in Plymouth and Devon Wildlife Trust was one of seven project partners. The Green Minds project encouraged people to develop a ‘green mindset’, putting nature and wildlife at the heart of decision-making in Plymouth’s green spaces.

Find out more at the Green Minds Plymouth website here.

European Union and Urban Innovative Actions logos
Infographic of achievements of the project, including 85 events organised, 588 people learned new skills and 3071 survey records collected

Action For Insects

The project provided a unique opportunity for DWT to trial new ways of taking action for wildlife in an urban setting. Using the messages from DWT’s Action for Insects campaign, it promoted urban rewilding, empowered people and changed values and attitudes to nature. Developing co-stewardship for land management through partnership working has been key throughout the project. Watch our video below to find out more about taking action for insects in communities.

Watch our video for Local Authorities, businesses and schools

Celebrating the green and the blue

Green Minds Plymouth championed both green and blue spaces in and around Plymouth. Through Shoresearch, a citizen science survey, volunteers learned more about Devon's marine wildlife and developed their understanding of this important habitat.

Volunteer Joe has attended shoresearch events throughout the year: "I went to my first shoresearch in 2021 after finding the Green Minds project on Twitter...I honestly didn't know how exciting the rockpools could be until I'd been to one of these - I would absolutely encourage anyone who thinks they might be interested to come along. It's great fun, and hopefully recording finds and changes in the rockpools can help to preserve the area for everyone to enjoy."

Join a shoresearch event here.

What was Devon Wildlife Trust's role in Green Minds?

Helen Parr from DWT was the Urban Ranger on the Green Minds project. Helen worked across the city, including at Central Park, Derriford Community Park, Saltram and Devonport and Stonehouse.

Here are just some of the projects Helen supported:

  • preparing a Management Plan for some fields owned by PCC which have the potential to become a ‘seed hub’ to help create wonderful meadows all around the city.
  • organising a series of professional training sessions to upskill and enthuse Green Minds Project partners.
  • supporting PCC in their grass cutting policy to make more space for nature in green spaces around Plymouth by sharing the good news and training PCC staff on the ground.
  • advising on meadow restoration and our Action for Insects campaign.
  • providing training days for community groups, volunteers and project partners, including tree-planting, restoring meadows and wildlife surveying.
  • sharing resources so people can help wildlife in their city even more.
  • looking at how habitat improvements can be targeted to create urban wildlife corridors in the west of the city, linking up areas such as road verges so that wildlife can move around more easily.
  • working with PCC to set up trials of chemical-free alternatives to pesticides.
  • providing training and support to Plymouth City Council’s Green Minds Apprentices.

You can take a look at what the Green Minds partners have been up to by searching #GreenMindsPlymouth on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

Soldier Beetle on a buttercup

Photo, Kieron Huston

Take Action for Insects

Insects are a vital part of our natural world - they recycle nutrients, pollinate our plants, control pests and provide food for other animals. Sadly, they have suffered drastic declines - but it doesn't have to be this way.

Download your free guide
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DWT

Are you a community group?

If you want to start a local project that helps nature and involves others in your community, we can help you get your ideas off the ground.

Take a look at our Wilder Communities page

Donate today for Devon's wild future

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Logos of Green Minds Plymouth partners