Showing posts with label Marine Conservation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Marine Conservation. Show all posts

Wednesday 7 July 2021

North Devon UNESCO Biosphere launches Nature Recovery Declaration and Plan

The Biosphere has launched an ambitious new Nature Recovery Plan as our contribution to tackling the ecological emergency here in northern Devon, aligning with the Government’s 25 Year Environment Plan and the Prime Minister’s pledge for 30% of the UK land to be protected by 2030.
 
Join individuals, organisations, councils and businesses across the North Devon UNESCO Biosphere in signing our Nature Recovery Declaration and commit to tackling the ecological emergency through your local actions. Tap here to find out more and sign the Declaration

To promote the launch, we expect to welcome a special visitor to the area. Sacha Dench, Ambassador for the UN’s Convention on Migratory Species, is flying a 3000+ mile circumnavigation of the UK in a wind and green electricity powered paramotor. On her journey, she is stopping in northern Devon to officially launch the North Devon UNESCO Biosphere Reserve’s Nature Recovery Declaration and Plan. We are expecting her to pass through the area later this month, where she will sign the Declaration herself and speak to the Biosphere team about the importance of nature’s recovery.

Why do we need to act?

Despite great efforts from many organisations, land managers and individuals across northern Devon since the whole area achieved UNESCO status more than 20 years ago, with a few encouraging exceptions nature continues to decline – a trend that began centuries ago but has accelerated since the 1960s. Today our wildlife is a shadow of its former glory and our natural systems are ceasing to function. Iconic species like salmon, breeding lapwings, skylarks, cuckoos, house martins, many insects and wildflower species are in perilous decline – and our rivers are failing national standards. An ambitious approach to focus everyone’s actions onto agreed priorities is needed - and that is what this plan aims to achieve.

The plan’s Vision is that by 2030, nature is recovering across northern Devon. There is more wildlife-rich habitat for us all to enjoy - covering 30% of the land area – in our fields and woods, on the coast, along our rivers and on the moors. Wildlife has the space it needs to flourish. Thriving farming and forestry are helping nature to recover right across the landscape. Communities, councils and businesses are putting nature back into our towns and villages. Ambitious projects have helped bring back icons like beaver, pine marten, chough, white-tailed eagle and osprey. Our quality of life, the economy and our response to climate change are stronger for it. More is required, but we are proud to be playing our part in tackling the global ecologicalemergency.

Why should I sign the Declaration?

“If we are to turn the tide for nature’s recovery, everyone in northern Devon needs to engage through their choices and actions - all of us as consumers and by helping nature to recover where we live and work, and especially farmers and land managers who can do most to help nature recover across the landscape. We can all make a difference. It’s time for urgent and transformative local action.” Mike Moser, Chair of the Biosphere Nature Improvement Group

We hope that many individuals, organisations and businesses across the Biosphere will sign this Declaration committing to helping nature’s recovery and adding to the growing support for tackling the ecological emergency.

We welcome your feedback on the plan (by 15 August 2021) 
which can be sent to biosphere-mailbox@devon.gov.uk
North Devon UNESCO Biosphere launches Nature Recovery Declaration and Plan
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 North Devon Biosphere
Finally, please help us to spread the word and encourage people to sign up to the Declaration! @northdevonbiosphere.
 
About North Devon Biosphere >

Monday 2 March 2020

North Devon Biosphere needs you support. "Tell us your view of the future of our rivers and seas?"

Calling all North Devon and Torridge locals, businesses and visitors who value the natural beauty of our seas and coasts, care about protecting nature, are users of our water environment or whose livelihoods depend on it - the North Devon Biosphere team needs your input to our Marine Natural Capital Plan. This plan puts nature first, with thoughtful and sustainable local actions to improve and restore the marine environment for the benefit of people, society and the local economy, now and in the future.

Over the last three years, with the help of academics, local stakeholder groups and regulatory bodies (including the fishing industry, conservation organisations, businesses, local groups and people, marine managers and scientists) aims and objectives have been identified for the plan. However, to have a workable plan, feedback and new suggestions from local people and visitors to the North Devon Biosphere are vitally important. If there's something you feel we've overlooked which is important to you - this is your opportunity to be heard. How we use and protect our marine environment now will have a direct impact on future generations who live, work in or visit North Devon, so please, have your say.

Some of the priorities identified for the North Devon Biosphere are to achieve sustainable and viable local fisheries, to create new jobs in sustainable aquaculture and to promote sustainable tourism and recreation. There are also calls to improve water quality, protect our amazing marine biodiversity and enhance resilience to natural hazards and future climate change. To deliver a successful marine natural capital plan, we need to have the views and support of the local community.

"Whether you have a personal, environmental, social or economic interest in North Devon, your views are important to us. The health of the marine environment affects all of North Devon, both inland and in coastal areas. We want to hear your view and receive feedback on what you think of the plan. By working together with the local community, we can build an effective and deliverable plan that represents the people of the North Devon Biosphere while enhancing our amazing marine habitats and wildlife" said Chrissie Ingle, Marine team, North Devon Biosphere

Our consultation process will run for six weeks from early March, with a variety of methods to submit your feedback. We will be inviting people to read the plan and provide input through our website, by email or even by letter. We will also be running a series of 'drop-in' days throughout North Devon, where you can come and ask us about the plan. At the drop-in days, we will also be screening our amazing Journey to the Sea short films, filmed within the North Devon Biosphere which highlight the connection and importance between people, land and the sea. For a group or organisation, we are also offering to attend your event or meeting to present and/or discuss the plan with you.  All details provided on the North Devon Biospere website

Drop in day times and locations

  • Monday 9th March Braunton Countryside Centre 15:00 – 19:00
  • Tuesday 10th March The Plough Arts Centre, Great Torrington 11:00 – 14:00
  • Tuesday 10th March  Hatherleigh Community Centre 15:00 – 19:00
  • Wednesday 11th March Exmoor National Park Office, Lynmouth 11:00 – 16:00
  • Thursday 12th March Mole Valley Farmers Store, South Molton 11:00 – 16:00
  • Thursday 12th March Barnstaple Town Library 11:00 – 16:00
  • Friday 13th March  Northam Burrows Visitor Centre 12:00 – 16:00
  • Saturday 14th March Clovelly Visitor Centre 11:00 – 16:00
  • Sunday 15th March Ilfracombe Harbour Master’s office 12:00- 16:00
Ilfracombe Harbour fishing - Photo copyright Nina Constable Media (All Rights Reserved)
 Ilfracombe Harbour fishing - Photo credit Nina Constable Media
Dartmoor Stream, Farming Nethercott, Estuary Birds - Photo copyright Nina Constable Media (All Rights Reserved)
Dartmoor Stream, Farming Nethercott, Estuary Birds - Photo credit Nina Constable Media
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Tell us your view of the future of our rivers and seas?
Tap here to visit North Devon Biosphere website for all details
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North Devon's Biosphere Reserve is the first new-style UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in the UK. It exists to inspire a positive future by connecting people and nature. The Biosphere in North Devon is a special place with wonderful wildlife and landscapes, and an economy and social structure still strongly linked to the environment but it is also more than that. It is a community of people working together to champion life and the environment, empower people to get involved and explore new ways of living that address local and global challenges.
 www.biosphere.org.uk
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Wednesday 15 January 2020

Journey to the Sea film series set to make waves in North Devon

A new six-part documentary series starring the people and landscapes of North Devon premieres in the county this month - narrated by BBC Springwatch presenter Gillian Burke. Journey to the Sea has been produced in partnership between North Devon Biosphere, WWF, Sky Ocean Rescue, the National Trust, and the Environment Agency.

Journey to the Sea is a celebration of the connection between people, land and the sea - putting nature centre stage. A special Director’s Cut of the films will be screened on Tuesday 21st January in North Devon. The exclusive event will be hosted by science communicator, zoologist and star of one of the episodes, Sophie Pavelle. Following the launch, one episode per week will then go on general release.

Filmed in North Devon, and following the course of the county’s waterways, the collection of short films is a celebration of Devon’s stunning, diverse habitats - from the wild moors of Dartmoor, to the crashing surf of the coastline and out to the open water around Lundy’s shores. The series aims to inspire viewers to take action to protect the UK’s natural world wherever they live.

The films are told through the eyes of local people, who help bring these special places to life. During the series viewers will meet a range of characters, whose lives and livelihoods are intrinsically linked to the area’s waterways, including Ilfracombe’s harbour master and Lundy Island’s warden.
The six films are:
  • ‘Wild camping with Trev’ - hiking through Dartmoor National Park
  • ‘Farming for the future with Simon’ - connecting young people with wildlife on a working farm
  • ‘Exploring the estuary with Sophie’ - paddleboarding on the peaceful Taw-Torridge Estuary
  • ‘Surfing with Jasmine’ - disadvantaged young people learning to surf with the Wave Project at Saunton Sands and Croyde beach
  • ‘The harbour with George’ - meeting the thriving harbour community in Ilfracombe
  • ‘Lundy island with Dean’ - diving below the waves and exploring the island
Rose Stainthorp, Marine Pioneer Coordinator, North Devon Biosphere, said: “North Devon can be a magical place, packed full of wildlife and diverse habitats. We have world-class surfing conditions, which attract surfers from across the country and beyond. Along with the beauty and tranquility of Dartmoor National Park, and the wildlife found on land and at sea, North Devon supports a thriving tourism industry that employs thousands of local people. This should be celebrated and brought to life so we all understand why now is the time to take action and protect nature on our doorstep.”

Alec Taylor, Head of Marine Policy, WWF, said: “We know our oceans and waterways are under threat like never before, from plastic pollution and climate change, to overfishing and underwater noise. Nature is not just a nice to have - it’s our life support system and we can no longer ignore the pressures we’re placing on our environment. We hope these films will inspire people to join the fight for our world and take action to help protect and restore our precious oceans and waterways for the wildlife and communities that depend on them.”
#journeytothesea
Journey to the Sea - Photos copyright @ninaconstablemedia (All Rights Reserved)
Journey to the Sea - Photos copyright @ninaconstablemedia (All Rights Reserved)
Journey to the Sea - Photos copyright @ninaconstablemedia (All Rights Reserved)
  Journey to the Sea - Photos copyright @ninaconstablemedia (All Rights Reserved)
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"Films were written and produced by Nina Constable Media in collaboration with Mindfully Wired Communications"
#journeytothesea
Email: rose.stainthorp@devon.gov.uk
Facebook: @NorthDevonBiosphere
Twitter: @NDevonBiosphere
All images copyright @ninaconstablemedia (All Rights Reserved)

Monday 12 November 2018

Clovelly celebrates the "Silver Darlings" for another year.

Clovelly Herring Festival always falls in November. It's the time of year when the historic village celebrates the coming of the great "Silver Darlings", better known as Herring. Clovelly celebrates and promotes this tasty, nutritious fish whilst supporting sustainable fishing.

The village always depended on the harvest of herring, caught in superb condition for a short season off this coast. Records go back over 400 years and in 1749 there were about a hundred herring boats in the port. When fishing was good, 9000 herring could be landed at one time. Those days of massive catches are long gone and these days there are just two herring fishermen, both employing sustainable fishing methods using only drift nets and long lines.

The Maritime historian and writer, Mike Smylie, will be attending with his "Kipperland" exhibition, which is devoted to the history of all things herring. Mike also turns the herring into delicate-tasting kippers and bloaters in his smokehouse for sale.

Flaxland joins the event with their exhibitions and demonstrations - an opportunity to discover how the flax plant is used to make a vast range of goods.

The quay kitchens will be serving a variety of delicious herring specialities along with beer tastings, local food and craft stalls.

Throughout the day there will be live music, street entertainers, face-painting and an exhibition of Clovelly herring fishing.

You can also learn how to handcraft bowls from sea debris at the 'Beach clean' bowl workshops. This is due to Clovelly's beach clean efforts to keep them free from ropes and nets that are harmful to wildlife and sea creatures. Washhouse Studio has been fully supplied with equipment from Beach Care and Keep Britain Tidy and hold organised beach cleans with the local general public. All the debris is collected and taken back to the studio so it can be re-used to make beautiful bowls.

This year The Marine Pioneers and the Blue Marine Pioneer Foundation will be showcasing their herring project and also offer an event-themed activity.
Another new addition this year will be the North Devon Hospice 3k Fun Run along Hobby Drive for the North Devon Hospice. To take part, please sign up online at www.northdevonhospice.org.uk or contact them on 01271 347232.

Clovelly Herring Festival - Photo copyright Pat Adams (All Rights Reserved)
Clovelly Picarooner. Photo copyright Pat Adams (All Rights Reserved)
Clovelly Picarooner 2011. Photo credit Pat Adams
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Clovelly Herring Festival - Photos Pat Adams North Devon Focus
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CLOVELLY HERRING FESTIVAL,
 Sunday, 18 November 2018
From 10 am until 4 pm
Clovelly Harbour
Contact: Tel: 01237 431781. www.clovelly.co.uk