Terena Plowright
Terena lives in Petersfield in Hampshire, a county she loves, especially because of the South Downs. Her interest in alternative living began in the early 1980s when she was a member of a band singing about change and also opened a shop with friends called ‘Live and Let Live’ promoting organic healthy eating and selling books on alternative lifestyles and energy. After spending time in Greece, Terena then ran a public house and music venue for several years.
Frustrated at not being able to encourage change, she then took a degree in Politics at Southampton University and went on to do a post-graduate degree in Broadcast Journalism. This allowed her to work for the BBC for a few years, in radio and making documentaries on rural life. During this time Terena took part in many organisations and events campaigning and debating change in lifestyles to divert the impending risks of climate change.
In 2000, Terena and a business partner and set up the South Downs Natural Burial Site at The Sustainability Centre. The business was a great success and is still operating and she is still a director of the site. Terena was also Centre Manager at The Sustainability Centre for 8 years until 2008. Some of the main achievements whilst she was there were – Refurbishing a dilapidated building into an award winning eco-hostel, installing an award winning biomass boiler, and writing then implementing a plan for the land management of the site to increase the biodiversity. Terena was also the fundraiser for the charity, and has given many talks and presentations to a variety of audience on a wide-ranging series of topics around the subject of sustainability.
Terena also set up the not-for-profit company Wood4Heat in 2006. The company was set up to alleviate the ‘chicken and egg’ situation that has been stopping the implementation of biomass heating due to lack of woodchip supply / demand. The company is now a leading example for quality chip supply.
Since the early 90’s shepherding has been a large part of Terena’s life, she worked running 2 ½ thousand milking sheep for 5 years but now her sheep and dogs havebecome her true form of relaxation. She has demonstrated the skills of working with dogs at many county shows and to visiting schools. She is able to use the dogs as a way of getting children’s attention and then using the opportunity to explain sustainability through the lifestyle of a sheep!
In 2008 Terena originated and ran a campaign in her home town of Petersfield called The Greening Campaign. This campaign has now become her main focus and is currently being run by over 100 communities across the UK bringing sustainability to the heart of towns and villages. Her passion for this subject has led her to speak to all levels of government and link with many of the major companies operating across the UK. Her true excitement and belief comes through when working with committees in communities operating the campaign.
Terena’s love of the South Downs means she can often be seen walking over their rolling hills, shadowed by her dogs her constant companions, the downs offering inspiration for driving The Greening Campaign forward.
