Evaluation and Impact Assessment

Independent evaluation of the Mid-Cornwall Moors Recovery Project

Cornwall Wildlife Trust commissioned Buckman Associates Ltd to undertake an independent evaluation of the Mid-Cornwall Moors Recovery Project, a complex landscape-scale programme designed to restore habitats, strengthen ecological connectivity and engage local communities in nature recovery.

The Trust required a robust evaluation that could:

• Evidence environmental, social and economic outcomes for funders
• Assess the effectiveness of a multi-partner, multi-strand programme
• Capture learning to inform future large-scale conservation initiatives.

Our Approach

Buckman Associates worked in partnership with Lorna Bell Research to design and deliver a comprehensive monitoring and evaluation framework.
Our approach combined:

• Development of a logic model and evaluation framework
• Quantitative analysis of programme delivery and outputs
• Stakeholder interviews and participant surveys
• Case studies capturing community and volunteer impacts
• Strategic assessment of wider programme learning.

This mixed-methods approach provided both robust evidence of impact and practical insights for future programme design.

Impact

This mixed-methods approach provided both robust evidence of impact and practical insights for future programme design.

Key outcomes included:

• Habitat improvements across more than 20 hectares of land
• Strengthened ecological connectivity across over 300 hectares of SSSI habitat
• Engagement with 1,200+ school pupils through nature education
• 77 volunteers contributing more than 3,000 hours of conservation activity.+

The project also supported local environmental businesses through conservation contracts and created training opportunities for new entrants into the sector.

Added Value

Our evaluation provided Cornwall Wildlife Trust with:

• Independent evidence of programme impact for funders and stakeholders
• Strategic learning to strengthen future landscape-scale nature recovery programmes
• Practical recommendations to improve project design, delivery and partnership working.

Why This Matters

Environmental programmes are increasingly required to demonstrate measurable impact, deliver value for money and generate learning for future investment.
Buckman Associates helps organisations:

• Evidence the impact of complex environmental and community programmes
• Meet funder monitoring and evaluation requirements
• Generate insights that improve future programme design and delivery

Our work supports organisations to not only show what they have achieved, but also to strengthen the case for future funding and long-term environmental investment.

Evaluation and Impact Assessment Case Studies