Tor to Shore aims to bring wildlife back at scale, connecting land and sea in the heart of Cornwall. From the heights of the Helman Tor nature reserve, through the Par River catchment and into the waters of St Austell Bay, this unique project will link a mosaic of habitats, creating a bigger, better and more connected home for nature, and communities.
Green light for Cornwall’s most ambitious project for nature
(c) Scott Marsden
Cornwall Wildlife Trust has launched its largest and most ambitious nature recovery project, Tor to Shore, thanks to a £3.3 million grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, towards this £5 million initiative.
Marsh fritillary by Ben Watkins
Few projects aim to connect land, sea and communities in such a joined-up way, making Tor to Shore incredibly special. The project will be a national example of catchment-scale nature recovery, showing how environmental action, community involvement and long-term investment can transform the places we live and enable nature to thrive.
We really can’t say enough what an amazing moment this is for nature in Cornwall.
Cornwall Wildlife Trust will work with farmers, landowners, fishers, businesses, and local communities to help nature recover across an entire catchment. Innovative rewilding approaches, nature-friendly farming, and sustainable marine practices will all play a part in transforming the catchment for wildlife, and for the communities who live and work there too.
Work will include rewilding across the nationally important Helman Tor nature reserve through the introduction of cattle, pigs, ponies, and more beavers. It will also involve woodland and wildflower meadow creation, improving water quality in the Par river catchment by facilitating nature-friendly farming, and working with marine businesses and communities in St Austell Bay, home to one of the UK’s largest seagrass meadows and extensive maerl beds.
A beaver exploring after release © Beaver Trust
Beaver created wetland at Helman Tor
Longhorn cattle. Image by Nina Constable
Pigs at Helman Tor. Image by Cornwall Wildlife Trust
Par river in Luxulyan Valley - Jaquelina Ferreira
Snakelock anemone in seagrass. Image by Matt Slater.
Baby bull huss on maerl. Image Matt Slater.
Tor to Shore has been co-designed with the local community and aims to help remove barriers to connecting with nature, whilst training citizen scientists and empowering people to take action for wildlife across the catchment. This will be supported by the creation of a new community hub at Helman Tor, providing an inclusive space for groups, children and the community to access nature.
Thanks to National Lottery players, we’re delighted to support Tor to Shore, a truly trailblazing project that shows what’s possible when communities, partners and landowners come together for nature. This project stands out not only for its scale but for its bold vision to connect landscapes and seascapes in a way that will benefit wildlife and people for generations to come.
Cornwall has remarkable natural heritage and projects like Tor to Shore demonstrate how long‑term investment and partnership can drive meaningful change. We’re incredibly proud to support Cornwall Wildlife Trust in bringing this vision to life, creating a lasting legacy that will be a fantastic example of large-scale nature recovery.The National Lottery Heritage Fund
The grant follows a successful development year, during which Cornwall Wildlife Trust worked closely with local communities, farmers, fishers, businesses, and organisations to shape plans and begin introducing some of the pioneering approaches that will guide delivery over the next five years.
To achieve our vision of a Cornwall where nature thrives, we need to halt and reverse the decline in wildlife. Our 2030 strategy places collective action right at the centre of nature recovery, which is why we’re so thrilled to receive this funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Local communities will be vital to this hugely ambitious project, and we can’t wait to start turning this vision into more action on the ground.
Local businesses are already stepping forward to support Tor to Shore, including Cornish Lithium, Prune Harris, Regency FX, One Atlantek, and Verdant Brewing Co., recognising the vital role nature plays in Cornwall’s future.
Cornwall Wildlife Trust is now inviting more businesses to join the journey and help restore wildlife from Tor to Shore.
