Who we work with
Our work at ParkLife SW is centered around creating opportunities to work with others to make our world a greener place. At the core of all our projects are our volunteers, community groups, work and partner organisations, and schools and colleges. We believe people power and community play a huge part in improving our environment and spreading awareness on ways that we can help care for nature.
We are passionate about creating opportunities for everyone to take part in, to learn from, and to hopefully meet new people along the way.
We strive to make our events inclusive and accessible and believe everyone can get involved in environmental conservation.
If you are interested in joining in, find out more about those we work with below.
Project of the month
August project of the month – Churchyard Wildflower Meadows
Old churchyards can support a rich array of plants, animals and fungi, and can sometimes be the only surviving area of flower-rich grassland in a parish. From bats to beetles and barn owls to butterflies, churchyards provide an oasis for wildlife to exist and thrive. The flowers are usually at their best from late May to the end of July.
As land which has often never been agriculturally improved, churchyards provide welcome conditions for a host of wildlife species. Grassland management is nearly always the most important aspect of churchyard management and can make a huge difference through encouraging native plants to grow which provide nectar for insects. For this reason, it is best to wait until later in the summer to cut the grass, after which all cuttings can be raked and removed to reduce the nutrient-richness of the soil which will enable wildflowers to thrive.
ParkLife South West has been asked by South Hams District Council to coordinate the collection of grass cuttings at a number of lovely old churchyards across the district during August. Check our events page to see if there’s one near you!
Community groups
ParkLife works alongside residents associations, green, environment, wildlife and climate groups, adult learners and other local organisations keen to be involved hands-on in landscape and biodiversity enhancements. We are committed to giving opportunity to people who don’t often get a chance to be active in the great outdoors.
Schools & young people
The team works with school pupils and college students of all ages – from reception to Year 11. Young people are increasingly knowledgeable about environmental issues, and ParkLife helps put that theory into practice. Projects take place in school grounds, or with transport provided, at coastal and countryside locations further afield.
ParkLife volunteers
People with a passion for our wildlife and landscape join in with ParkLife activities as individuals. ParkLife aims to provide regular projects on a network of parks and natural spaces suitable for a volunteer ‘task force’. This includes activities like tree planting and meadow creation.
Business and work groups
There is a renewed interest among business organisations for their staff to be engaged in environmental activities. These environmental ‘away days’ can have many benefits, not least in terms of team building whilst carrying out valuable tasks together, often in great locations. There are also opportunities to be involved in terms of climate change mitigation and biodiversity enhancement.