Wildlife Groundswell is a community-driven conservation organisation based on the Lizard Peninsula in Cornwall. Our mission is to empower local people to take practical action for nature recovery and biodiversity enhancement. We work in collaboration with residents, landowners and partner organisations to deliver grassroots initiatives that protect and restore the natural environment. 

We believe in inclusive, place-based conservation. We focus on supporting people to take action where they live—whether that’s installing a swift box, monitoring a stream, or sharing a knowledge-rich conversation with neighbours over tea and cake. 

Some of our recent and ongoing projects include:

Swifts, swallows and martins

In response to the decline of these iconic summer visitors, we’ve run community workshops where over 150 swift boxes have been made and subsequently installed across the peninsula, including in church towers in Ruan Minor and Landewednack.

Our “Swift Nest Box Belfry Tours” have educated attendees about the species and how they can help. Attraction call systems have also been set up to encourage nesting in new sites. We plan to run a similar project in 2026 for house martins.

Bat Conservation

We host bat walks and monitoring evenings when we conduct surveys, equipping volunteers with EchoMeter bat detectors so we can all contribute. Collaborations with the Cornwall Bat Group have provided expert input, and informal events like the “Bat Group Social” have helped foster knowledge sharing and community involvement.

Stream Testing and Water Quality Monitoring

Through partnership with the Westcountry Rivers Trust and Riverfly, our volunteers are involved in citizen science projects to monitor local stream health. The data feeds into wider efforts to protect Cornwall’s freshwater habitats.

Any Size Landowners’ Project

We regularly bring together landowners and land stewards—whether they own a large farm or a tiny garden—to talk about rewilding, pond building, hedgerows, tree planting, growing food, grazing animals and more.  These are a time for sharing food and eating together, and for creating a welcoming space for ideas, offering practical help and camaraderie.

Events and Educational Activities

We regularly host expert talks, our most recent from Dougy Wright on migrating species on the Lizard, as well as nature walks focused on fungi, flora, and seasonal wildlife. Our events aim to engage people of all ages and backgrounds.

Conferences

Between 2021 and 2024 we have hosted four all day conferences entitled Wildlife on the Lizard, Soil and Water, Air and Fire and People, Place, Nature. Each time between 100-150 people have enjoyed talks in the morning and workshops in the afternoon. The conferences have been an opportunity for local people to catch up on expert knowledge and opinion, meet people, share ideas and experience and gain further skills.  

Through our work, we’ve been able to have a positive impact for local wildlife and the local community. We’ve boosted local swift habitat through nest box installation and public education; improved understanding and protection of bat species and roosts across the peninsula; created a stronger culture of ecological awareness among landowners and community members and built an inclusive, welcoming conservation community — one that combines science with social connection. 

Kath, a local artist and volunteer, said, 

“Wildlife Groundswell is doing great things for people and nature on the Lizard Peninsula. We’re all inspired daily by the natural world and the wildlife on our doorstep, so we want to give something back.” 

We’ve also learned a lot: 

Make it Personal

People are more likely to take action when they see how it connects to their own patch.

Collaborate Widely

Linking up with established groups, scientists, and skilled volunteers amplifies what we can do.

Create Welcoming Spaces

Conservation can be daunting, but a friendly event with cake and conversation can make all the difference.

Celebrate Small Actions

A single nest box or stream sample can be the start of a lifelong conservation journey.

Looking ahead, we’ve got an exciting line-up planned to continue our work and welcome new people into the fold including bat walks, monitoring evenings, and landowners' gatherings, and plans will soon be underway for our next conference. All event details can be found on our Events Page. 

Nature recovery begins on your doorstep. Whether you’re a landowner, gardener, wildlife enthusiast or simply curious, you are welcome to get involved. 

Visit www.wildlifegroundswell.org.uk to learn more, sign up to our newsletter, or volunteer your time and skills.