Tor to Shore
From the top of Helman Tor, to the bottom of St Austell Bay, our landscapes, waterways, wildlife and communities are connected.
Tor to Shore is an ambitious, five year project led by Cornwall Wildlife Trust, made possible thanks to support from the National Lottery Heritage Fund. By reconnecting land, rivers and sea across the Par River catchment, the project shows how joined up action can support nature’s recovery at scale. This is a place-based project, rooted in local knowledge, local partnerships and local pride.
For too long conservation efforts on land and those at sea have been fragmented. Cornwall Wildlife Trust is thrilled to receive funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund to change that, demonstrating that joined up efforts to create bigger, better, more connected landscapes and seascapes can be transformative for nature recovery
Rewilding for Nature and Reconnecting with Communities
Creating a mosaic of habitats across the vast reserves of Helman Tor, which support and enhance the rich, diverse, and nationally important species present. Enabling the long-term management of the site through rewilding principles and the introduction of heritage cattle, pigs and ponies. Improving accessibility and awareness of the nature reserves through the construction of the Community Hub which will enable all those in the local community to access, enjoy and connect with this unique environment.
Marsh fritillary by Ben Watkins
Longhorn cattle arrive at Helman Tor. Image by Cornwall Wildlife Trust.
Ben Watkins
Pigs at Helman Tor. Image by Cornwall Wildlife Trust
Catchment Resilience for Waterways, Wildlife and Farming
Enabling catchment-wide restoration through the action of nature, people, and farming. Creating natural flood management and wetland ecosystems through the reintroduction of wild beavers. Enhancing wildlife networks through the improvement, expansion and designation of County Wildlife Sites along the watercourses. Engaging with the farming community to support the integration of sustainable farming practices on agricultural land, reducing defuse pollution and soil run-off and improving soil health and water quality throughout the river catchment. Enhancing wildlife and supporting food production throughout the Par River catchment.
Par river in Luxulyan Valley - Jaquelina Ferreira
Beaver created wetland at Helman Tor
Beaver being released in Cornwall. Image, Beaver Trust
Simon Stuart-Miller
Nina Constable
Thriving Marine Life, Healthy Seas and Productive Fisheries
Creating a thriving seascape for wildlife, people, and fishers. Increasing our understanding of the blue carbon habitats in St Austell Bay and their value to biodiversity and commercial fishing through monitoring and marine citizen science. Investigating the quality of the waterways entering the Bay to identify threats and guide advice to landowners throughout the catchment. Working with the fishing community, local community and businesses, to increase awareness of the marine environment and develop sustainable marine practices and voluntary marine protection within the Bay, using the Charter of the Sea and promoting local advocacy and leadership.
Snakelock anemone in seagrass. Image by Matt Slater.
Credit: Matt Slater
Adrian Langdon
Ringnet fishing for sardines. Image by Matt Slater.
Community Empowerment and Inclusion, enabling Nature Connection and Action
Helping to make nature accessible for everyone and empowering community action. Working with partners to identify and build trust with vulnerable groups and people experiencing barriers to connecting with nature and working to deliver social outcomes, including improved wellbeing and increased confidence. Ensuring schools, educators and community groups can access, learn about and benefit from spending time in nature. Working with and connecting local wildlife groups to build skills and confidence and create volunteering opportunities for the wider community. Creating a network of passionate volunteers and community members who want to take action for nature.
Kids at Tor to Shore Campfire Stories
Helman Tor volunteers
Bluebells at Helman Tor. Image by Ben Watkins.
Get Involved
Tor to Shore is not a single action, but a network of people, places and actions, all working towards a shared vision for nature recovery.
For further details about how to take part in a specific area of project work:
Donate
You can support Tor to Shore and our other work to bring nature back to Cornwall by donating here.
The National Lottery Heritage Fund
Tor to Shore is made possible with The National Lottery Heritage Fund, the largest funder for the UK's heritage.
Using money raised by National Lottery players we support projects that connect people and communities to heritage. Our vision is for heritage to be valued, cared for and sustained for everyone, now and in the future. From historic buildings, our industrial legacy and the natural environment, to collections, traditions, stories and more. Heritage can be anything from the past that people value and want to pass on to future generations. We believe in the power of heritage to ignite the imagination, offer joy and inspiration, and to build pride in place and connection to the past.
(c) Scott Marsden
Get Involved
Thanks to support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, Tor to Shore is engaging with as much of the community as possible, recognising that nature recovery works best when everyone has a role to play.
Here you’ll find information about the different groups we’re working with, along with details on how individuals, communities and organisations can get involved in the project. Whether you’re looking to take part, collaborate, or support Tor to Shore financially, this section will help you find the opportunities that are right for you.
Individuals & Volunteers
Whether you’re just getting started or already passionate about wildlife, there are lots of ways to take part in Tor to Shore.
As an individual, you can take action for nature through Tor to Shore by:
Volunteering
- Become a community engagement volunteer, or a part of our volunteer speaker network, and help us connect even more people with the amazing land and seascapes from Tor to Shore.
- Get involved in citizen science and species recording – whether on land or at sea, recording wildlife in the Tor to Shore project area helps build a clearer picture of nature across this connected landscape, supporting conservation efforts from uplands to seabed in protecting these vital habitats for the future.
- Get involved in practical task conservation days, with us, your local Your Shore Network or one of our Associated Groups.
Attending walks, talks, and events
Regular walks, talks and events will be held across the project area (upcoming events coming soon to our events page and Eventbrite), we look forward to seeing you at one dreckly!
You don’t need any prior experience - just an interest in nature.
Support your local wildlife group
Local wildlife groups are already doing incredible work to care for nature across the Tor to Shore area - and all are actively looking for new members.
There is no experience needed, and groups will offer flexible ways to get involved, giving you a chance to use your existing skills (from nature knowledge to admin or social media!)
Find your local Associated Group or Your Shore Network Group.
St Austell Bay Charter of the Sea
You can also support marine conservation by engaging with the St Austell Bay Charter of the Sea, helping protect the Bay’s wildlife and habitats.
If you are unsure about any of these options, or would like help getting involved:
Contact Sasha Pinto, Tor to Shore Community & Volunteer Officer sasha.pinto@cornwallwildlifetrust.org.uk
Wilder Wellbeing & Inclusion
We believe everyone should have the opportunity to experience the benefits of nature. If you’d prefer a more guided way to connect with nature, you can join our supported activity programme, including nature connection courses, clubs and day trips.
We offer a range of supported activities designed to:
- Build confidence outdoors
- Improve wellbeing
- Create lasting connections with nature
This includes:
- 6-8 week Nature Connection Courses
- Monthly Indoor Nature Club
- Monthly Outdoor Nature Club
- Supported day trips to environments within the project area
You can self-refer to any of these opportunities – to do so please contact the Youth & Inclusion Officer, Kathryn Mackiewicz, at Kathryn.mackiewicz@cornwallwildlifetrust.org.uk
We also work with healthcare providers, social prescribers and community organisations to support people who may benefit from nature-based wellbeing. If you would like to refer to one of our opportunities, see the Tor to Shore Referral Guide (coming soon).
If you live elsewhere in Cornwall, you can also explore the wider Wilder Wellbeing offer.
Local Wildlife Groups
Local wildlife and community groups are already doing incredible work to care for nature across the Tor to Shore landscape and seascape — from practical habitat management and citizen science to community engagement and local advocacy. These groups are a vital part of nature recovery, bringing local knowledge, passion and action to the places that matter most.
If you’re part of a local group and think your work could be supported through Tor to Shore, we’d love to hear from you.
Tor to Shore works alongside local groups to strengthen and support their efforts. This includes sharing expertise, helping coordinate activity across the wider area, providing opportunities to get involved in citizen science, and connecting groups to additional resources, training and funding where possible.
Our local groups currently include:
- Action for Seagrass & Kelp
- Friends of the Fowey Estuary
- Friends of Luxulyan Valley
- Friends of Par Beach
- Friends of St Andrews Wetland Reserve
- Three Bays Wildlife
If your group would like to be involved, please contact the Tor to Shore Community & Volunteer Officer, Sasha Pinto, at sasha.pinto@cornwallwildlifetrust.org.uk
Schools & Young People
Inspiring the next generation is a key part of Tor to Shore. We recognise that children and young people are not just future stewards of the environment, they can be changemakers and should be key voices in the present. We believe young people in the project area should be engaging with nature both through their learning but also experiencing the mental and physical health benefits of getting outdoors.
Support for educators
Over the five years, the project will offer:
- Creation of nature-based, curriculum-linked resources for primary and secondary schools, both in schools and outreach with different educational providers
- Teacher training and support to deliver the educational resource bundles and lead the nature-based learning
- Outdoor learning opportunities with all educational providers, connecting young people with nature within their learning environment
Support for young people
For young people who would benefit from a supported approach to getting outside, we run youth nature connection programmes. If you are interested in these, please contact us (details below).
Otherwise, many of our public events are suitable for young people and their families, (upcoming opportunities coming soon).
For all education and youth enquiries, contact the Youth & Inclusion Officer, Kathryn Mackiewicz, at kathryn.mackiewicz@cornwallwildlifetrust.org.uk
Farmers & Landowners
Farmers and landowners play a vital role in producing food and caring for the landscape and we work to support both. Tor to Shore has a dedicated Farm Adviser who can provide tailored advice to farmers and landowners within the Tor to Shore catchment on:
- Sustainable Farming Practices
- Soil and nutrient management plans
- Habitat creation and restoration
- Accessing Environmental Land Management schemes
- Accessing grant schemes e.g. Capital Grants or England Woodland Creation Offer
- County Wildlife Site Assessment and Support
For all land management enquiries, contact the Tor to Shore Farm Adviser (TBC)
For queries relating to beaver releases and management, please see our Beaver Management page.
Who to Contact
If you’re not sure where to start, we’re here to help.
For queries relating to:
Volunteering, events, local groups, citizen science
Sasha Pinto, Community & Volunteer Officer - sasha.pinto@cornwallwildlifetrust.org.uk
Marine environment and fisheries
Oscar Miller, Marine Officer - oscar.miller@cornwallwildlifetrust.org.uk
Youth opportunities, schools, wellbeing and inclusion
Kathryn Mackiewicz, Youth & Inclusion Officer - kathryn.mackiewicz@cornwallwildlifetrust.org.uk
Environmental land management
Tor to Shore Farm Adviser (TBC)
Beaver management
beavers@cornwallwildlifetrust.org.uk
General enquiries
