Photo by Dean Chapple. Projection by Blackbeam Cinematic.

After seven years of grassroots environmental action, award-winning North Devon charity Plastic Free North Devon (PFND) is proud to announce its evolution into Earth Action North Devon (EAND).

Why the Change?

This transformation reflects the charity’s growth from a small, community-driven plastic reduction campaign into a fully-fledged environmental organisation tackling a broad range of sustainability challenges.

CEO Claire Moodie explains:

“The name ‘Earth Action North Devon’ better encapsulates the work we’ve been doing over the last couple of years and sets the tone for what’s to come. As we continue to tackle the climate, ecological, and intersectional environmental crises, we want a name that reflects our wider mission and supports our community to tackle the challenges ahead’’.

From a Local Campaign to a Regional Movement

What began as a small Plastic Free Braunton Facebook group set up by Desiree Young, a local teacher who joined forces with local SAS reps to roll out ‘Plastic Free communities’ across North Devon, has evolved into a thriving environmental charity with:

Seven part-time staff members
Thousands of volunteers each year
Strong partnerships with councils, businesses and organisations

Key Achievements Over the Years

Earth Action North Devon has driven real change in North Devon, including:

Expanding the Plastic Free Communities movement alongside Surfers Against Sewage
Helping local events go plastic-free through initiatives like the Water Bar and sustainable event toolkits
Eliminating thousands of disposable plastic bodyboards and promoting sustainable wooden alternatives
Preventing the installation of a Costa coffee machine at Braunton Tesco
Establishing a thriving Repair Cafe network to promote reuse and waste reduction
Expanding the Community Cleans programme removing over 4 tonnes of rubbish from Saunton Beach alone since 2018
Launching The Sustainable Business Resource CIC to help local businesses on their sustainability journey
Acquiring and transforming the Croyde Ocean Triathlon into a leading example of a sustainable sporting event
Developing a pioneering environmental education programme, and creating a 2030 vision for environmental education

Video by North Devon Moving Image

Looking Ahead as Earth Action North Devon

While the name is changing, the mission remains the same: to protect and improve our environment through community-led action.

Through education, events, campaigns, and partnerships, Earth Action North Devon will continue to: 
• Inspire reconnection with nature 
• Facilitate sustainable behaviour change 
• Accelerate and intertwine environmental action and awareness

To develop a healthier relationship between people and the natural world.

A Heartfelt Thank You

We extend our deepest gratitude to the volunteers, councils, businesses and thousands of supporters who have been part of this journey so far, and send sincere thanks to Jennie Lewis at SunSide Studio for all her hard work on the rebrand.

A special thanks to Devon Environment Foundation, Powervault and Turnstyle Designs for years of core support which has given us the confidence to develop our charity into what it is today.

“This has been an incredible, exhausting, but deeply impactful journey—and we couldn’t have done it without you. We look forward to the next few years and, with your continued and valued support, we can make a real difference.”