Emerald Ant: Protecting Powerstock Hills Through Creativity
Emerald Ant engaged local schools and families in nature-inspired art and wildlife activities to build pride, belonging, and a shared commitment to care for the Powerstock Hills.
Through hands-on experiences and community consultation, the project connected people with their landscape and inspired future stewardship.
This project was awarded Sustainable Development Fund support in 2024-25 to help deliver our Management Plan objectives B1a – to support and develop activities that increase health and wellbeing by establishing and strengthening connections to the landscape and nature B4e – to promote and support the celebration and conservation of local distinctiveness.
Undertake research into environmental challenges in the Powerstock Hills and Brit Valley area.
The project successfully achieved its aims and objectives, moving from research and planning to meaningful engagement with local schools and communities. Through workshops and consultations, the team raised awareness of environmental challenges such as river health, flooding, and surge impacts, encouraging families to discuss what they can do to help.
Key Activities:
One Year 8 student summed up the spirit of the project:
“I like swimming in the sea and looking for owls in the night. I like sitting on the grass and listening to the bees and looking at beetles and flies in the grass. I like walks in the night, looking at the moon and watching fox eyes glowing in the torchlight.”
The project built strong partnerships with schools, artists, and environmental groups, delivering five creative workshops and engaging 92 young people across four schools and a youth group.
Headteachers praised the project for enriching education and fostering confidence, creativity, and environmental awareness.
Connections with local landowners and conservation organisations have opened doors for future field visits and hands-on learning. A clear learning strategy and a growing pool of artists and experts now position the project for its next phase—bringing communities closer to nature through art and education.
Project Delivery – At a Glance
Other achievements: Strategic learning document, networking forum attended, strong school support.
Overview- the project successfully met its aims, engaging schools and youth groups in creative workshops that celebrated nature and explored local environmental challenges.
Children expressed pride and connection to their landscape, while schools embraced the project’s multidisciplinary approach. Partnerships with artists, landowners, and conservation groups have laid the groundwork for future activities, ensuring the community continues to connect with and protect the Powerstock Hills.
The project strengthened local networks by linking with community environmental groups and initiatives, including Broadwindsor Parish Council, Broadwindsor Eco Group, Allington Hillbillies, and the Great Big Dorset Hedge Project, creating opportunities for future collaboration and shared action.
This research and development phase lays the foundation for a larger project planned for 2026–2028.
Next steps include collating consultation feedback, using school and community support statements to strengthen funding bids, and approaching Dorset Council, Dorset Community Foundation, and other funders for initial grants of up to £5,000.
A major application to the will follow to support a full programme of workshops National Lottery Heritage Fund, learning, and village events.
The aim is for some of the creative and celebratory practices developed to be adopted and sustained by local communities for years to come.
Suggestions to others thinking of doing a similar project:
Give yourself plenty of time to connect with schools—and try to make it personal. A friendly introduction goes a long way. They also learned that the Christmas term is a tough time to engage primary schools, so January is a much better window for starting conversations!
local funds
Grant funding
