Natural Beauty & The Beast


About

Bring together the people of Bodmin, Liskeard, Launceston and surrounding areas with the farmers of Bodmin Moor to explore and celebrate the rich nature, history and traditions that connect them.

Aim

By working together we can protect this special landscape for wildlife, for the climate and for future generations to enjoy.

Project Overview

Project Overview

The Natural Beauty & the Beast project will build on the strong foundation of over five years of research, partnership working and community initiatives already established in section 08 The Lizard, by supporting the formation of a partnership organisation and volunteer community group dedicated to the Moor. Backed by a new community small-grants fund, the project will empower local people to take a central role in shaping and sustaining Cornwall’s protected landscapes.

Looking to the future, the insights gained through this project on Bodmin Moor will further help shape a methodology for future rollouts across all 12 sections of Cornwall’s protected landscape, creating a lasting framework for community engagement, sustainable land management and heritage preservation. Coupled with the successful legacy of the Monumental Improvement Project and its work with volunteers, communities and heritage, the Natural Beauty & The Beast project will build meaningful connections between people, place, nature and heritage.

The project will focus on reconnecting people with Bodmin Moor’s beauty, history and farming traditions. Through community partnerships, volunteering and farmer-led activities, the project will foster a deeper understanding of the moor’s environmental and cultural significance while ensuring its protection for future generations. The Natural Beauty element highlights Bodmin Moor’s stunning landscapes, rare wildlife and historic sites, while The Beast draws on the myths and legends of the Beast of Bodmin Moor, creating an engaging way to spark curiosity and storytelling, particularly for younger families.

This project is funded thanks to The National Lottery Heritage Fund

Connect

Reconnecting towns and farms to create a legacy for people and place. Helping communities increase understanding and protection of heritage and nature across The Moor, Bodmin, Launceston, Liskeard and The Lizard.

Collaborate

Facilitating access to Natural Beauty and building relationships between farmers, town communities and volunteers, to care for the landscape together.

Celebrate

Showcasing Natural Beauty and resilience of the land. Bringing to life the myths and legends, and sharing the lived experiences of people via events, storytelling & information.

“Bodmin Moor is a landscape that has shaped both our history and our communities. This project is about bringing people together to celebrate our shared heritage, support sustainable farming and create meaningful access to the landscape” Emma Browning, Cornwall National Landscape Partnership Manager

Landscapes and nature form the bedrock of our culture and heritage, improving wellbeing, sparking curiosity, and protecting and providing for the community’s surrounding and inhabiting them. Thanks to money raised by National Lottery players, we’re proud to support Cornwall National Landscape with this important project, which will reconnect the local communities with rural traditions and celebrate the amazing natural heritage on their doorstep.” Stuart McLeod, Director of England – London – & The South at The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

So far we have...

So far we have…

7

Farm Action maps created

2

Volunteer Days completed

15

Participants have been welcomed on site visits or activity days

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Benefits

Our Primary Purpose is to conserve and enhance Natural Beauty.

Our priority is to lead and support projects which deliver under these four key categories.

benefit to people

People

Empower local people to take a central role in shaping and sustaining Cornwall’s protected landscapes, creating a lasting framework for community engagement, sustainable land management and heritage preservation.

benefit to place

Place

Fostering a sense of place by helping people connect to our unique natural heritage, we will facilitate visits to the Moor as well as promoting engagement through intangible cultural heritage practises; songs, poetry, art and spoken word.

benefit to nature

Nature

Faced with a declining biodiversity, we will work with communities and farmers to improve habitats and support key species by conducting wildlife surveys, habitat restoration and raising awareness through events.

benefit to climate

Climate

Working with farmers to support better land management for climate, including mapping opportunities for targeting carbon sequestration and exploring green finance initiatives.

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Activities & Events

Community Engagement

Workshops, wildlife and heritage surveys, guided walks, and volunteering opportunities on farms will provide hands-on experiences for people of all ages to connect with the land and its stories whilst providing health and wellbeing benefits, whilst creative sessions will use storytelling, art, songs, poetry and cultural traditions inspired by the landscape.

Check out our events page to find out what’s coming up soon!

Previous Activities

Dark Skies Stargazing Walk

South Penquite Farm – Friday 25th April

Despite the weather we managed to run a guided walk around the farm exploring the incredible heritage and archaeology on Section 12 (Bodmin Moor) of Cornwall National Landscape. Following the walk, Wayne from Caradon Observatory gave a fascinating talk (in the dry!) on the importance of raising awareness of Dark Skies and the effects that light pollution can have to our planet as well as showing some incredible photos too ✨ We will be running another Dark Skies event later this year, fingers crossed🤞, with much clearer skies

Volunteering

We are always looking for new volunteers and partners to help support the project.  If you would like to find out more or get involved in the project, please send us an email at NaturalBeauty@cornwall.gov.uk. or check out our volunteer hub to stay up to date with upcoming opportunities to get involved.

For any other queries contact NaturalBeauty@cornwall.gov.uk.

Farms

Farm Action Maps

Seven local farmers will act as project ambassadors, developing bespoke Farm Action Maps to guide land management decisions on their farms. These maps will target carbon storage, heritage conservation, biodiversity improvements and sustainable finance opportunities, while also helping foster stronger urban-rural connections through shared learning and engagement.

Follow us on our socials for regular project updates

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