Our climate is changing rapidly. High summer temperatures are becoming more frequent. Winters are wetter with changing rainfall patterns and increasing storms. Sea levels are rising. Changes that we thought would happen in our grandchildren’s lifetimes are happening in our own. Not only is it impacting humans (with 2700 excess heat related deaths in the UK in 2026) but locally the impact on wildlife in our beautiful Otter Valley is also being adversely affected.
We all know that we need to take urgent action to address the global Climate and Ecological emergencies. Community engagement is critical.
The OVA is committed to helping us adapt to our changing climate. Our activities include:
Influencing local decisions
through lobbying and through our strategic responses to consultations. We believe that our communities should:
- Back genuinely affordable housing rather than development driven mainly by volume.
- Support brownfield redevelopment to reduce the loss of farmland and natural habitats.
- Advocate smaller, well-integrated developments that respect local landscapes and community character.
- Call for infrastructure improvements before construction, including sewage treatment, drainage, roads, schools, health services and water supplies.
- Protect green spaces, hedgerows, wildlife corridors and productive agricultural land.
- Participate in Local Plan consultations and raising evidence-based concerns with councillors and planners.
- Hold developers and infrastructure providers accountable for environmental impacts.
- Support water conservation, habitat restoration and flood-reduction initiatives.
- Encourage planning decisions that consider climate change and long-term environmental limits, not housing targets alone.
Raising awareness
through organising events and activities that highlight climate change and discuss climate adaptation on a local and national level. Examples in 2026 include our Climate Change and Environment Evening in Budleigh Salterton Public Hall, several viewings of the National Emergency Briefing Film across the valley and films such as Derek and Derek which use humour to explore the differences between conventional farming and re-wilding.
It is acknowledged that ¾ of the adult population have climate anxiety and feelings of hopelessness. The OVA prides itself on bringing communities together through talks, walks and events to help acknowledge climate anxiety and offer practical advice. This year, as well as Budleigh Salterton we have held events in Ottery St Mary and East Budleigh and are planning more events up the valley for 2027.
Collaborating
with local groups, Budleigh – Greener Together, the Tree Musketeers, Budleigh-in-Bloom, the Lions, Plastic Free Budleigh, Clinton Devon, local Town and Parish Councils, East Devon District Council, Devon County Council and local MP's to look at ways in which we can all make small changes and campaign for larger country-wide changes that will help our environment and communities adapt.
Developing programs
to fill gaps in environmental activity across the valley. A perfect example is the creation of ORCA. Created by the fabulous Peter and Felicity at the OVA to hold South West Water and the Environment Agency to account for reducing our beautiful River Otter to one of the worst 5% of rivers within the U.K. ORCA has, in 2026 expanded to undertake testing of the sea at Budleigh Salterton following the loss of its Blue Flag and the impact that this has on tourism, local business and wildlife.
Integrating programs.
to ensure that Climate change is part of everything we do. We are passionate that our action toward climate adaptation is integrated into all other OVA activities but especially our wildlife work. The Ottery Valley is an extraordinarily special place to live, and we need to continue to support wildlife adaptation. The OVA can help to mitigate the impact of climate change by increasing tree coverage to capture carbon and to monitor and improve species and habitats.
Residents have spoken. Top priorities!
At the Environment Evening on 28th May 2026, led by the Budleigh Lions, residents highlighted the following as top priorities to consider for the local community. If you would like to volunteer to help with any of these, why not sign-up to help one of the local groups in the valley.
- Clean Water: Stop sewage pollution, protect the river and sea, regain Blue Flag status, reduce pesticides.
- Plastic Reduction: Cut packaging, use reusables, ban plastic bags, join Plastic Free groups.
- Biodiversity: Plant trees and hedges, support pollinators, reduce chemicals, create wildlife gardens.
- Transport: More cycling routes, safer streets, better buses, less car use.
- Energy: Solar, insulation, home efficiency, reduce fossil fuels.
- Food & Farming: Grow organic, support regenerative agriculture, buy local, compost, reduce peat
- Landscape Protection: Safeguard green spaces, woodlands, and coast paths.
- Community Building: Citizen assemblies, Green Budleigh, youth involvement, spreading the word.
- Politics: Engage councillors and MPs, protect net‑zero commitments.
10 ways families can reduce their reliance on plastics:
- Use bar soap, bar shampoo, and bar conditioner.
- Switch to bamboo toothbrushes and toothpaste tablets.
- Choose natural fibre clothing to cut microplastics.
- Use refillable cleaning products or make your own.
- Avoid disposable wipes — use washable cloths.
- Install a laundry microplastic filter or use a wash bag.
- Swap disposable razors for a metal safety razor.
- Choose menstrual cups or reusable pads.
- Buy products in glass, metal, or paper instead of plastic.
- Refuse single‑use plastics — bottles, bags, sachets, wrappers.
How can you help? Get involved ...
Let us all come together as a community to:
- Plant trees, hedges, and pollinator‑friendly plants
- Create wildlife corners and bug hotels
- Reduce use of fertilisers and pesticides
- Support ORCA’s river monitoring
- Join Plastic Free Budleigh or OVA environmental groups
- Walk, cycle, or use public transport
- Install solar panels or improve home insulation
- Buy local food and grow your own vegetables
- Use water butts and consider small garden ponds
- Support tree‑planting groups like Tree Musketeers
If you are interested in helping, click or link to this QR code. It will take you to a volunteering page for local charities.
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