Shaftesbury will showcase it’s green vision at dorset cop 2025
Shaftesbury is taking centre stage at this year’s Dorset COP 2025 — a day of climate action, creativity and community connection happening on Saturday 1st November at The Exchange, Sturminster Newton.
Now in its third year, Dorset COP brings together people from across the county — from villages to towns — to share ideas and build a more sustainable Dorset. This year, the Sustainable Shaftesbury Advisory Committee (SuSAC) will lead a 90-minute Nature Recovery workshop, showcasing the town’s innovative projects and inviting others to follow Shaftesbury’s lead.
Nature recovery in Shaftesbury — A model for Dorset
The Nature Recovery workshop (11.45 am – 1.15 pm, The Bow Room) will highlight key SuSAC initiatives that are putting Shaftesbury on the map for community-led sustainability.
The workshop will feature Amber Harrison, Jen Hirsch, Joe Hashman, Lucy Young and Richard Thomas and will also include an update on the Dorset Local Nature Recovery Strategy and next steps, including delivery, by Amy Smith of Dorset Council. Together, they’ll explore how a bottom-up, community-driven approach to nature recovery can be replicated in towns and parishes across Dorset, starting with Shaftesbury’s success story.
What to expect at the workshop
11.45am Nature Recovery in Shaftesbury with Richard Thomas, Chair, Sustainable Shaftesbury Advisory Committee (SuSAC): Introduction to workshop and the three key areas – Nature Friendly Town (NFT) Shaftesbury, Orchard Town Shaftesbury, and the Shaftesbury Green Wheel project – and introducing Nature Day 2026.
11.50am Natural Shaftesbury with Jennifer Hirsch, co-leader of SuSAC’s Biodiversity working group and the Nature Friendly Town framework initiative: The nature recovery scene in Shaftesbury: Who is doing what, when, how, and where including an introduction to NFT.
12.00pm The Nature Friendly Town framework with Amber Harrison, member of SuSAC, supporting the Nature Friendly Town framework initiative, and co-owner of the B Corp certified FOLDE bookshop in Shaftesbury: what it is, how it started, how it was built, what it hopes to do, doing the assessment in Shaftesbury, value of the bottom-up approach, adaptable to each town and village, potential for national rollout,
12.15pm Orchard Towns with Joe Hashman, member of SuSAC and co-founder with Common Ground of Orchard Town Shaftesbury’s community orchards: Their value, where to find them, and how to create them.
12.25pm Shaftesbury’s ‘Green Wheel’ initiative with Richard Thomas, member of Shaftesbury’s Green Wheel working group: A new vision for an old idea to help reunite the countryside and wildlife with towns working with Dorset Wildlife Trust and The National Trust.
12.35pm Open discussion and questions, including update on the Dorset Local Nature Recovery Strategy and its delivery by Amy Smith, Dorset Council Local Nature Recovery officer. Facilitated by Richard Thomas
1.05pm Panellists closing remarks and call to action: Where SuSAC hopes the NFT, Orchard Town, and The Green Wheel will go next, plus details of Nature Day 2026.
Why it matters
SuSAC’s work through the Sustainable Shaftesbury Vision and Masterplan shows what can happen when a town unites behind a shared environmental goal. From supporting pollinators and community growers to protecting green spaces and footpaths, Shaftesbury’s projects are helping shape a thriving, nature-positive future, and inspiring others to act. By sharing these lessons at Dorset COP 2025, SuSAC hopes to encourage collaboration, new partnerships and greater impact across the county and beyond.
Join the conversation
Dorset COP 2025 is open to everyone. Tickets are pay what you can (suggested £10, but no one will be turned away due to cost).
Book your place now: https://events.humanitix.com/dorset-cop-2025
The event is fully accessible, with wheelchair access, lifts, accessible toilets and disabled parking. Car-sharing options are also available after booking, please see booking website for details.
Be part of Shaftesbury’s sustainable future
Shaftesbury’s representation at Dorset COP 2025 demonstrates how local action can drive real change. Join SuSAC and communities from across Dorset as we share ideas, connect, and build the future together.