About Us
OUR VISION
At least 30% of Devon ‘for nature’ by 2030.
Given the scale of the climate and nature emergencies, our ambition is to protect and restore at least 30% of Devon’s land and water by 2030.
We will implement the vision by supporting grassroots projects that regenerate nature, especially those that can be replicated and scaled across the county.
#ForNature
Our people
A Steering Committee (SC), comprising of founding and actively involved donors, directs the strategy. They analyse and approve grants and use their personal networks to broaden the base of supporters. The SC members have a wide array of backgrounds and interests, but all share a passion for protecting Devon’s outstanding natural beauty.
Our local team consists of one person as the local Executive Director in charge of day-to-day management and coordination work on the ground, assisted by advisors and the SC.
LOCAL TEAM
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AMANDA KEETLEY
Executive Director
Amanda is an environmentalist and marketing expert with 25 years’ experience specialising in strategy and communications. From 2015-2020 she campaigned to reduce plastic pollution globally via her non-profit Less Plastic and her book ‘Plastic Game Changer’.
In 2020, she extended her focus beyond sustainability to nature regeneration, launching Devon Environment Foundation (the first UK branch of the Conservation Collective) to channel funds to local nature restoration projects.
Amanda is excited by the multiple benefits that nature restoration brings and takes every opportunity to showcase uplifting stories from grassroots projects, to amplify their impact and inspire hope and wider action.
She lives in Kingsbridge, South Devon and loves connecting with nature on woodland or coastal walks and sea dips.
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MAISIE LAYLA GASS
Operations Officer
Maisie is dedicated to driving positive environmental change across Devon. She is passionate about showcasing and supporting grassroots projects that promote sustainability, regeneration and conservation. Leveraging her expertise in marketing, events, and fundraising, she works to amplify initiatives that create lasting environmental impact.
In her free time, Maisie enjoys connecting with nature through surfing at Bigbury, hiking on Dartmoor, and swimming in the Dart. She is also a creative who works with various mediums, including painting and crafting jewellery from recycled silver.
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TOM AMEY
Projects Officer
Tom is a conservationist who has over ten years’ experience working on projects in South Africa, Australia, Indonesia and Devon. Tom’s work has focused on rewilding, endangered species protection and conservation reintroductions, through community centered methods.
Tom grew up in Totnes, Devon, and after spending six years in Indonesia between 2018 – 2024, he is excited to be re-focusing on Devon based conservation and sustainability efforts.
Living in Totnes, Tom enjoys making the most of all that Devon has to offer: surfing, Dartmoor and coastal walks, river swims, camping and bird watching.
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How we work
Channelling funds from businesses and philanthropists to grassroots nature regeneration projects.
Helping donors achieve net zero emissions by coupling their carbon reductions with our nature regeneration projects.
Tapping into our network of experts to ensure we support the projects offering the largest returns for nature.
Seeking to build local coalitions that catalyse systemic change.
Filling a gap by being agile, unbureaucratic, and ‘getting stuff done’.
Providing projects with vital funds to scale their impact.
Attracting new sources of environmental funding by showcasing what can be achieved by nature regeneration.
Pooling funds and creating leverage for each donor to share in the successes generated by total DEF funds raised.
We strongly believe that supporting local environmental groups can make a positive impact and bring about long-lasting change.