Local children get to the roots of clean water in North Devon

Children from Bradworthy Primary Academy were armed with spades and forks last week in the name of conservation! The class of ten and eleven year olds visited a local farm to help finish planting a new woodland. Over 1,100 trees have been planted at the farm on steep land next to a watercourse, using funding from the Woodland Trust and the Environment Agency. The trees are a mixture of native species characteristic of the area, including oak, birch and rowan, which will develop in to a valuable home for local wildlife. Devon Wildlife Trust's Laurie Jackson said: "The location of the planting next to the watercourse is crucial as it will help to buffer against run-off from the land, which would otherwise enter the River Torridge". She added: "The planting links to existing woodland and will provide more of this important habitat, as well as preventing livestock from accessing the watercourse where they could get stuck." The tree planting was organised by the Northern Devon Nature Improvement Area (NIA) team. The NIA is a North Devon Biosphere Reserve Partnership project led by Devon Wildlife Trust. The project works across the catchment of the River Torridge to deliver long-term benefits for the environment and local people, by restoring a landscape able to provide essential services such as clean water. Working with local land owners to manage our natural resources is vital to the success of the NIA project. By adapting land management to minimise the amount of nutrients, sediment and pollutants that are reaching our watercourses, the costs of treating our water can be reduced. The project team also want to get local communities involved with their work. This includes parish groups and schools, as well as teaming up with local volunteers. The children from Bradworthy Primary Academy not only worked hard as tree planters for the day, but also had a chance to learn about farming, visit habitats rich in wildlife and walk along a stretch of the River Torridge itself. "Making our way through the soggy culm grassland to get to the river proved one of the most entertaining parts of the day!" said Devon Wildlife Trust Community Outreach Officer, Tamasine Addie. Richard Stephenson, Head Teacher at Bradworthy Primary Academy summed up the activity nicely: "We had a lovely day!" You can learn more about the landowner advice service and community work carried out by the NIA by contacting the team on 01409 221823.