Although the Tor to Shore began in April, the launch event provided a valuable opportunity to reflect on how far we've come already, thank the people making the project possible, and look ahead to the exciting work still to come.  

Set against the backdrop of the newly designated Helman Tor National Nature Reserve, guests heard about the remarkable breadth of activity already taking place across the catchment, from river restoration and beaver monitoring to marine conservation, sustainable farming advice, community engagement and species surveys.  

More than anything, the event was a celebration of collaboration. It brought together people working across sectors and communities who share a common goal: creating a healthier future for wildlife and people from Helman Tor to St Austell Bay.  

Six Months of Progress 

The first six months of Tor to Shore have been focused on building strong foundations, recruiting a specialist team, developing partnerships and putting the infrastructure in place needed to deliver a project of this scale.  

Already, there is much to celebrate: beavers have returned to the Par River catchment, helping to hold water in the landscape during a summer marked by drought conditions, conservation grazing with Tamworth pigs and English Longhorn cattle is creating and restoring valuable habitats, while new audiences have been engaged through youth projects, nature connection courses and public events. More than 30 volunteers have also been trained to take part in marine wildlife surveys through Shoresearch and Seasearch.

The launch event offered a chance to bring these achievements together and showcase how each strand of work contributes to a landscape-scale vision for nature recovery. 

One of the highlights of the day was hearing Tor to Shore project manager, Gwen Maggs’, overview of the project. For many guests, it was the first opportunity to fully appreciate the sheer scale and interconnected nature of Tor to Shore, from the high ground of Helman Tor, down through the Par catchment and out into St Austell Bay.

Powered by Partnership 

Tor to Shore would not exist without the support of the National Lottery Heritage Fund and National Lottery players, alongside Cornwall Wildlife Trust staff, volunteers, community groups, partner organisations and local businesses.  

Throughout the day, speakers returned to the importance of partnership as the foundation of the project's success. 

Addressing guests at the event, Taryn Nixon OBE, Trustee and Chair of the Committee for England, London & South at the National Lottery Heritage Fund, explained that Tor to Shore stood out because of its whole-catchment approach, its focus on working with natural systems, and its commitment to people and partnerships. She spoke about the project's ability to bring together farmers, fishers, landowners, residents, schools, community organisations and wellbeing groups, describing the network of relationships around the project as "a wonderful landscape of partnership".  

That spirit was on full display throughout the event. Guests repeatedly commented on how valuable it was to connect with people they might never otherwise meet through their day-to-day work. Conversations between organisations, businesses and local individuals from different sectors sparked new ideas, shared learning and opportunities for future collaboration.  

Sasha Pinto, Tor to Shore Community & Volunteer Officer, shared how one of the project's greatest strengths has been its ability to bring together people from different backgrounds, sectors and communities around a shared vision for nature recovery. Through partnerships with schools, education providers, Cornwall Neighbourhoods for Change, Reach Out Creative Futures, St Austell Healthcare, Young People Cornwall and many others, Tor to Shore is connecting with a diverse range of audiences across the catchment. These collaborations are creating opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds to engage with nature, whether through education, volunteering, wellbeing activities or creative projects, helping to strengthen the connection between local communities and the natural world. 

A Blueprint for Nature Recovery 

During his speech, Matt Walpole, Chief Executive of Cornwall Wildlife Trust, reflected on the challenge facing nature and why projects such as Tor to Shore are so important.  

"If we want to go from nature decline to nature recovery, it's going to take far more than we or anybody can do on our own," he said, emphasising that bigger, better and more joined-up action is needed if we are to restore nature at the scale required.  

He highlighted the extraordinary natural richness of the catchment, from nationally important seagrass beds and maerl habitats in St Austell Bay to otters, dormice, curlew, snipe and the beavers now thriving further upstream. He also celebrated Helman Tor's recent designation as a National Nature Reserve as another milestone in the area's conservation story.  

Looking ahead, Matt Walpole described Tor to Shore as "a real blueprint for what could happen across the rest of Cornwall", demonstrating how large-scale, connected conservation can support nature recovery across both land and sea.  

Looking Forward 

While the first six months have focused on laying the groundwork, the next phase of Tor to Shore is all about delivery. Over the coming years, activity will continue across the catchment to restore habitats, improve water quality, support wildlife, engage communities and create lasting positive change from Helman Tor to the shore.  

The launch event was a chance to pause and celebrate what has already been achieved, but it was also a reminder that the most exciting chapters of the project are still ahead. Those at the launch were asked what they would like to see through Tor to Shore, responses included improved water quality, beavers creating thriving wetlands, more people experiencing nature, access to nature for everyone, engaging young people and the next generation with their local environment and for local people to see and be involved in local nature recovery.  

As Taryn Nixon OBE noted, Tor to Shore has the potential to become an exemplar for nature recovery projects elsewhere, showing what can be achieved when communities, organisations and landscapes are connected through a shared vision.  

Together, we're looking forward to the journey ahead.