Around the Town

To deepen your understanding of Sidmouth’s unique ecosystem and the ongoing recovery efforts, these websites offer a mix of scientific data, community projects, and official policy updates.

1. Community & Conservation Groups

• Sid Valley Biodiversity Group (SVBG): This is the primary hub for the data mentioned in your series. It features detailed surveys on local birds, plants, and the "Living Churchyard" project.

• Vision Group for Sidmouth (VGS): A great resource for the "big picture" in Sidmouth. They host information on the Beach Garden, Sidmouth Solarpunk, and sustainable town planning.

• Friends of Glen Goyle: Specifically focused on the restoration of the wooded valley, this site explains the "balanced wilderness" management style.

2. Local Government & Policy

• Sidmouth Town Council – Environment Section: Here you can find updates on the "Sidmouth in Bloom" awards and the council's tree-planting targets.

• East Devon District Council – Nature Recovery: This page hosts the Draft Local Nature Recovery Plan (2023-2033) and explains the wider district-level strategy that Sidmouth is a part of.

• Sid Valley Neighbourhood Plan: For those interested in the legal side, this outlines the "Green Corridor" mandates and the 20% Biodiversity Net Gain rules.

3. Specialist Ecological Resources

• Devon Local Nature Partnership (DLNP): Provides a "Community Toolkit" for those wanting to start their own nature projects, including the "Devon Living Churchyards" guidance used by the Parish Church.

• Devon Wildlife Trust – Wilder Communities: Offers broader context on how Sidmouth’s efforts fit into the county-wide goal of creating "Wilder Communities."

• Caring for God’s Acre: A national site that provides excellent identification guides for the lichens and mosses found on old stonework, perfect for a "Habitat Detective" walk in Sidmouth.