Landscape Recovery is one of the three Government funded environmental management schemes (ELMS), alongside the Sustainable Farming Incentive and Countryside Stewardship. ELMS support farmers to deliver a range of environmental outcomes, with a focus on net zero, biodiversity and water quality. Find out more here: Landscape Recovery: round two – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).
Led by Clinton Devon Estates, the Heaths to Sea Landscape Recovery initiative holds nature recovery ambitions of national significance. Located in East Devon’s lower River Otter catchment, the scheme spans 4,500 hectares of the East Devon countryside and will power nature recovery across the agricultural hinterlands linking three parts of the Pebblebed Heaths National Nature Reserve (NNR). The focus of this landscape recovery initiative includes river/floodplain restoration and woodland creation.
Although the scheme has a focus on nature recovery, it is not about stopping food production; we believe nature recovery and productive agriculture can and must co-exist. Our vision is for this diverse landscape to be nature rich and ecologically healthy whilst also supporting food production, net zero, timber and access needs.
Current land use and project area (Click to enlarge)
The 2-year project development phase (April 2024-March 2026) will:
Review existing habitat and landscape connectivity across the catchment and provide a blueprint for how this can be improved.
Develop and cost long-term solutions to maintain public access, including those footpaths alongside the River Otter where public access and existing health and wellbeing benefits are currently threatened by erosion.
Assess the potential for new woodland creation and provision of enhanced access through the wider landscape.
Our vision is that by working together this initiative will:
1
Deliver an accessible, nature-rich landscape that is resilient to climate change.
2
Support East Devon’s net zero and food production ambitions.
3
Drive a stronger, greener and more sustainable economy.
Throughout the project it is vital that we communicate and engage with the right stakeholders and local communities.
Stakeholders will be involved in shaping priorities for the landscape plan. A Stakeholder Communication Advisory Group (SAG) has been established to help steer the development phase. The SAG includes representatives from local government, local parish councils, land managers and a range of private and environmental organisations with an interest in the landscape and the environmental, social and economic benefits it supports.
There will be opportunities for wider public consultation throughout the course of the development phase, and beyond. Local communities and visitors to the lower Otter Valley are invited to input their thoughts into the Heaths to Sea project plans through this engagement process. Details of upcoming public engagement events are listed below.
Register here to be kept up to date on project plans.
Upcoming Events
Talk to the project team at our drop-in sessions
Look at concept designs of landscape management, find out the motivation behind Heaths to Sea project, and register your hopes, comments and concerns for nature recovery in the valley through our survey.
The East Devon Ramblers will be running two walks throughout the project area. The project team will be sharing the vision for nature recovery across the landscape during the walks. Please sign up via the East Devon Ramblers group for these walks.
Friday 21st March: A morning circular walk from Newton Poppleford to Otterton through the floodplain.
Wednesday 26th March: An all day circular walk from Otterton, the riverside footpath to Colaton Raleigh, cross up to Passeford Land, up to Mutter’s Moor, over to the Coast Path and back to Otterton.
News & Media
Click the links below to see coverage of our project.
We have a project governance structure to make sure the project has the right technical advice, is engaging widely and effectively, and to make sure we are held to account on key project actions.
Heaths to Sea governance diagram (Click to enlarge)
Kirstie joined Clinton Devon Estates in April 2024 as Heaths to Sea Project Manager, bringing over 15 years of project management experience to the role. Primarily working with local authorities (LAs) and non-governmental organisations (NGOs), Kirstie’s career includes roles such as the St Helena Cloud Forest Project Manager with the RSPB, the Natural Environment Partnerships Officer with Devon County Council, the Landscape and Ecology Mitigation Project Manager with the St Helena Government, and Sustainability Project Officer for Kent County Council. Kirstie holds an MSc in Advanced Ecology from Durham University and a BSc (Hons) in Biology from the University of York, as well as qualifications in people and project management. Passionate about her role, Kirstie is thrilled to contribute to the landscape recovery project. She recognises its potential to create substantial benefits for both wildlife and people on a significant scale. Outside of work, Kirstie enjoys hiking, gardening, and spending time outdoors.
Kendal Archer
Sustainability & Project Management
Kendal joined the Estate in 2020 to work on the Lower Otter Restoration Project, delivering the EU-funded part of the project, Promoting Adaptation to Changing Coasts (PACCo). Prior to that she worked in environmental project management in London, where she also completed an MSc Environment, Politics and Globalisation at King’s College London. She has experience working on a range of environmental projects, with focusses including net zero carbon, air quality, waste reduction and wellbeing. In her free time, Kendal enjoys hiking, reading and spending time outdoors.
Dr Sam Bridgewater
Director of Environment Strategy and Evidence
Dr. Sam Bridgewater CEnv MCIEEM joined the Estate in 2012. He has responsibility for ensuring that the protection of wildlife and natural habitats are embedded into all aspects of Estate decision-making. His remit includes oversight of the management of the Estate’s core nature reserves – the 1,000 hectare East Devon Pebblebed Heaths and the Otter Estuary – and he advises on the development of the Estate’s environmental strategy, including natural capital accounting. Formerly a researcher at the Natural History Museum and the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, Sam’s interests include describing and explaining patterns of plant diversity, the management of cultural landscapes and the economic use of plants. He has published over 20 academic research papers, two books and numerous book chapters. He is the Estate lead on the River Otter Beaver Trial and the Lower Otter Restoration Project.
Beth Humphreys
Project Support Officer
Beth joined the Estate in August 2024 as the Heaths to Sea Project Support Officer. Beth brings valuable experience from her time at the City of London Corporation, where she spent six years with the Air Quality team, leading various programmes focused on stakeholder engagement and actions to reduce pollution. She later transitioned to a policy role at Natural England, contributing to freshwater and air Environmental Targets and Indicators.
Beth holds a Natural Sciences degree from the University of Bath and an MSc in Environmental Management from Royal Holloway, University of London. Passionate about nature recovery and sustainable land use, Beth is eager to translate her policy experience into practical action at the Estate.
In her spare time, she enjoys paddling in the sea, spending time outdoors, reading, and exploring National Trust properties.
