New film series shines light on South West landscapes and conservation efforts

A new series of six short films has been launched to celebrate and protect the unique landscapes of the South West of England, showcasing the conservation work being undertaken to safeguard them for future generations.

Titled Wild Westcountry Odyssey, the series has been produced through a creative collaboration between Natural England, the RENEW biodiversity project led by the University of Exeter, and the National Trust, with co-funding from Natural England and support from the NERC-funded RENEW project. Filmed by Simon Willis Films, the series features original poetry by John Wedgwood Clarke, Professor of Poetry at the University of Exeter.

The films take viewers on a journey through six Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) and Habitat Sites across Cornwall, Devon, and Somerset, each one highlighting both the fragility of these ecosystems and the vital restoration work being done by conservationists, farmers, and local communities.

“We supported the production of the films to research how creative media can help re-set the relationships between people and nature within the framework of Protected Site Strategies. The approach is to educate and highlight the need for nature recovery to everyone,” said David Burton, Natural England’s Principal Officer for the Protected Site Strategies Implementation and Development programme.

“Too often the environment sector has failed to communicate the plight of biodiversity in accessible, positive and thought-provoking ways... John, Simon, and the rest of the ‘Wild Westcountry Odyssey’ team have created inspirational stories through film and poetry to help set our first few Protected Site Strategies on their way.”

Each film includes two original poems and captures the beauty, biodiversity, and environmental significance of the sites. Beyond their visual appeal, they aim to inspire public engagement in the ongoing efforts to restore and protect nature across the region.

Filmmaker Simon Willis said: “It’s been a privilege to work with all the nature reserves and John. The human effort that goes into keeping them thriving for wildlife is remarkable. I hope our images and John’s words encourage people to look beyond the picture postcard and really value the wildlife that makes the South West such a great place to visit.”

Poet John Wedgwood Clarke added: “The South West’s diverse and beautiful landscapes have been the source of great joy for so many people and have inspired writers and artists over time. But take a closer look and you realise how fragile many of our ecosystems have become... I hope these films... inspire people to explore this beautiful part of the world and think about how they can support... the work that goes into helping people and nature thrive together in these special places.”

The project is also part of a broader mission under the Protected Site Strategies (PSS) framework - an innovative approach developed by Natural England to address environmental challenges at a landscape scale and to help restore wildlife populations and ecosystem health not only within protected sites but across the surrounding areas as well.

Professor Rosie Hails, Director of Nature and Science at the National Trust, said: “We know that for people to protect nature and our fragile ecosystems, they have to care for it first... By using poetry and creating these films we aim to bring the beauty of these six South West locations into their homes and onto their mobile devices.”

Weekly Film Releases

The films are being released weekly between 16 June and 21 July on YouTube. The schedule includes:

1. Kynance on the Lizard (16 June) – Explores Cornwall’s iconic coastal landscape and the return of the red-billed chough, a result of collaborative conservation efforts.

2. Goonhilly Downs NNR (23 June) – Reveals the richness of heathland biodiversity and highlights restoration work in a disused quarry.

3. Challacombe Farm, Dartmoor (30 June) – Features a Dartmoor farmer integrating wildlife-friendly practices into sustainable farming.

4. Westhay Moor NNR, Somerset (7 July) – Showcases peatland restoration work to tackle climate change and enhance biodiversity.

5. Exe Estuary, Devon (14 July) – Focuses on the importance of the estuary for migratory birds amid threats from agriculture and development.

6. Otter Estuary, Devon (21 July) – Details the Lower Otter Restoration Project, creating new wetlands to combat climate change and support diverse wildlife.

RENEW (Renewing biodiversity through a people-in-nature approach) is a five-year programme led by the University of Exeter and the National Trust, funded by the UKRI Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) and supported by over 30 partners across the UK conservation sector.

For more information, visit the RENEW project or Natural England’s Protected Site Strategies webpage. Visit YouTube to watch the videos - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F4Lpu61T0vM