The South Devon National Landscape team is buzzing with success after being recognised with a prestigious national Bees’ Needs Award for its pioneering Life on the Edge project, which is helping to protect pollinators and restore vital habitats across the South Devon coast.
Presented by Defra, the annual award celebrate organisations making an outstanding contribution to supporting pollinators through habitat creation, conservation and community engagement. South Devon National Landscape received the award in the Communities category during a ceremony at RHS Wisley.
Made possible with support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, Life on the Edge has become a leading example of landscape-scale nature recovery. Since launching in 2023, it has protected almost 144 hectares of habitat for pollinators, helped safeguard rare species, including the UK's last known colony of the Six-banded Nomad Bee at Prawle Point, engaged more than 9,300 people through events and learning opportunities, and been supported by volunteers contributing more than 300 days to conservation work.
Rob Skinner, Life on the Edge Project Manager at South Devon National Landscape, said: "We are delighted that Life on the Edge has been recognised with a national Bees’ Needs Award. This achievement reflects the dedication of our partners, volunteers, landowners and local communities who have worked together to create and restore habitats that support pollinators and help nature recover.
“Pollinators are essential to healthy ecosystems, and this award recognises the positive impact that can be achieved when people come together to protect and enhance the landscapes we value. We are particularly proud that our work is helping to safeguard rare species.”
Oil beetle night search (C) Roger English
The Communities category recognises projects that create and enhance pollinator-friendly habitats while engaging local people in nature recovery. The award highlights the success of South Devon National Landscape's partnership approach and demonstrates the powerful role communities can play in protecting biodiversity.
