in partnership with The B-Bar
River Plym Project
Communities at the heart of restoring the River Plym
The River Plym flows from Dartmoor, to Plymouth, and into the sea. By connecting with the people
who live and work alongside the Plym, this project aims to encourage people to value and enjoy the
nature on their doorstep, to create more space for wildlife and ultimately restore the river's health.
This project looks to understand how local communities currently engage with the River Plym. We have worked with over 30 community groups along the catchment of the river - from businesses, to
homeowners, community groups and informal networks who connect with the river. We have raised awareness and held conversations about what is so special about the River Plym, the problems it faces, and how people can get
involved to take positive action to improve the health of the river.
The River Plym Project is a partnership project between Barbican Theatre Plymouth, Devon Wildlife
Trust, and Plymouth Sound National Marine Park. The project is kindly funded by Esmée Fairbairn
Foundation.
“It’s our passion at the Barbican Theatre to create space for communities to find their own creative voice and to give it a platform- this project is a really brilliant way for us to do this, whilst getting to learn and explore our passion for green arts, our environment and city’s future”
Laura Kriefman- Former CEO and AD Barbican Theatre
The History of the River Plym
The River Plym rises on the deep peatlands of Dartmoor and travels 15 miles through moors, dense
temperate forests, and urban landscapes, spilling into the sea at Plymouth Sound. The river
connects our most highly protected sites, both on land and in the sea, allowing wildlife to travel
more easily between these important areas.
Through history, and despite more recent regulation, human activities have left a lasting impact on
the river's health and its wonderful watery wildlife. For example, pollution has reduced water
quality, and changes to the natural flow of the river has affected wildlife and the habitats it depends
on for survival.
However, there is hope. The River Tamar, sister to the River Plym, has seen multiple projects and
programmes to restore the river's health, and has received many special designations and flagship
status.
“For many, many years conservation is something we’ve done to people, not with people. We need to join up the rights of nature with the rights of people. That’s got to lead to better outcomes.”
Elaine Hayes, CEO Plymouth Sound National Marine Park
How have communities been involved?
Barbican Theatre and the River Plym Project partners have held a range of community
workshops, outreach projects and surveys over the last six months, to explore the idea that the River Plym and its wildlife should be given a legal right to be
protected from harm. Who can speak up for the river., when its unable to do so itself.
The project partners intend to apply for funding for a multi year project as a consequence
of this research, which will approach the idea of the River Plym as a citizen.
To culminate this phase of the Project, we are holding a celebration of all our findings at The Barbican Theatre on 23rd and 24th August. To book this FREE event, please click here:
https://barbicantheatre.co.uk/whats-on/river-plym-project-celebration-exhibition/
To attend our Nature Walk and Film-screening/Q & A on 27th August please click here:
“This project is adopting a radical approach to help restore the health of the River Plym and the
wealth of wildlife it supports – it’s a truly exciting because communities will be at the heart of the
solutions alongside exploring how we can give nature the rights they deserve to thrive and
regenerate.”
Peter Burgess, Devon Wildlife Trust
We would love to hear your stories and memories of the River Plym: Please click here: COMPLETE THE SURVEY
(Images from workshop)
