Focus on NIA - Pioneering project covering the greater part of the Torridge River catchment

The Northern Devon Nature Improvement Area (NIA) is a pioneering project covering the greater part of the Torridge River catchment. The project works with landowners and local communities to help support, protect and connect wildlife habitats and enhance recognition that our natural heritage underpins all our lives. A healthy network of wildflower grasslands, broadleaved woodlands and clean rivers isn’t just good for wildlife. They provide food and fuel, help improve water quality, reduce flooding and offer special places for healthy outdoor recreation where human spirits are uplifted and inspired. To find out more about this landscape-scale conservation project, including details of their work with land managers, scientific research, parish biodiversity, community and schools events, volunteering and other ways to get involved please visit www.northerndevonnnia.org  During the next few months the NIA are holding a series of events including a guided walk through the Bluebell woods at Okehampton Castle., an Orchid Expedition on Torrington Common, a guided walk through a classic Culm Grassland Nature Reserve at Merefelle, Woolsery, a guided walk exploring the hedgerow wildlife and rich Culm grassland of a farm in Dolton and  you can join the Northern Devon Nature Improvement Area project at Hatherleigh Moor for pond dipping and bug hunting. Click here to find out more information about individual events

Photos: Schools Event, Great Diving Beetle, Culm Grassland through the Seasons and woodland beside the River Torridge

Copyright M Symes, M. McCormack (All rights reserved)
Get involved - visit www.northerndevonnnia.org

A Week of Wildlife at Meeth Quarry Nature Reserve

Devon Wildlife Trust's Northern Devon Nature Improvement Area is planning a special week of wildlife inspired science and art events at its Meeth Quarry nature reserve near Great Torrington. The charity is staging a weekend of free events on Saturday 22nd and Sunday 23rd March, running from 11am-3pm on both days. People can drop in when they wish or stay all day. The theme for these events is 'Artists and Scientists'. Visitors are being encouraged to come along to discover how artists draw inspiration and scientists find fascination in the natural world. And they will also be encouraged to explore their own artistic and scientific interests in a packed two-day's of activity. On Saturday there will be an opportunity to join a painter, a poet and a soil scientist in a series of hands on activities which will draw on Meeth Quarry's unique landscape. On Sunday the focus will be the search for mammals, amphibians and reptiles in the company of experts, along with a music workshop with drumming and animal songs inspired by the nature reserve. Tamasine Addie, Community Outreach Officer for the Northern Devon Nature Improvement Area said: 'During the weekend we want to give people the chance to help us map Meeth Quarry nature reserve, building up a picture of the landscape from different points of view." Tamasine continued: "By 'mapping Meeth' in this way we get a chance to see all the benefits it has to offer for wildlife and local people alike. We hope to see lots of wildlife on site - and lots of people enjoying it too!"
The weekend is being followed by a further event aimed at local school teachers. Tuesday 25th March sees Meeth Quarry open its doors for teachers to find out ways in which they might use the nature reserve as an 'outdoor classroom' with their pupils. The evening will also include a short walk to explore areas of the site suitable for school visits. This session will run from 4-6.30pm. Booking is essential. Please contact Tamasine Addie on 07968 850803. Finally, on Friday 28th March Meeth Quarry is the venue for a 'Dark, Dark Night event' from 4-7pm. Back by popular demand, this event is a drop-in session giving people the chance to find out more about moths, owls and bats as they emerge into the night sky after a winter of hibernation. This is a great opportunity to see bats up close, learn about owl habitats and marvel at moths as they flit through the air at twilight. All events are FREE! People can find out more about the events on the Northern DevonNature Improvement Area website, www.northerndevonnia.org

 Photo Meeth Quarry copyright Devon Wildlife Trust - All Rights Reserved

State of Devon's Nature: TV's Nick Baker to launch report at Cullompton conference

Devon's wild beauty is one of the county's greatest assets. Its environment provides us not just with amazing landscapes and wildlife but with food, fuel, pollination, flood control and great recreational and business opportunities. It is therefore important that we know how our environment is faring. These are some of the major conclusions of a newly released 'stock-check' on the county's priority species and the habitats in which they live. The report called The State of Devon's Nature, is being launched this Friday (7 March 2014) at a special one-day conference in Cullompton. The report also showcases the positive differences being made where landowners, farmers, businesses and conservationists are working together to turn around declines in a range of species. So who are Devon's wildlife winners and losers of recent years? Populations of those iconic mammals, otter and dormouse, have remained fairly stable in Devon's rivers and woodlands. Other species, including barn owl and great crested newt, have not suffered large declines but do face threats such as habitat loss. Targeted conservation efforts have improved the prospects for some creatures, including cirl bunting and southern damselfly, though their future remains challenging. The Report concludes that the state of some of Devon's species should concern us. Curlews, although still a regular winter visitor to the county's estuaries, now no longer breed on Exmoor, and breeding pairs elsewhere in the uplands have severely declined. The high brown fritillary butterfly and the white-clawed crayfish are both in danger of extinction in Devon. Local extinction did befall the popular water vole, 'Ratty' in Wind in the Willows, in the late 90s, before a population was re-introduced in east Devon. Key to the State of Devon's Nature report is a measurement of the health of the county's natural landscapes. Here the picture is very mixed. * Only around a third of Devon's rivers are in good condition and many are struggling to support a diverse range of wildlife because of pollution, man-made barriers and invasive species. 

* With the support of agri-environment grants, Devon's upland wetlands and heathlands are being better-managed by farmers. However, large areas fail to support the range of birds and insects they once did. 

 * Devon's woodlands have not been reduced in size, but do face threats including invasive species like rhododendron, large deer and grey squirrel populations and diseases such as ash dieback. 

* As sea levels rise, sand dunes and saltmarshes are coming under greater pressure where coastal development prevents their retreat inland. 

* Devon's sea life remains threatened by damaging fishing practices such as bottom-trawling, by climate change and pollution. 

However the Report also shows the depth of feeling that many people have towards wildlife in Devon. Indeed, the State of Devon's Nature pays tribute to the efforts of an army of willing volunteers who have lent their expertise to gathering its data. The Report is also positive about the many places in Devon where groups and individuals have been working together to improve the natural environment. Advice and agri-environment grants provided to south Devon farmers have improved habitat for cirl buntings and other farmland wildlife. Commercial business, conservation land managers and farmers are working in partnership in north Devon's Culm grasslands. Here, wildlife habitat, water quality and flood alleviation are all being improved through the Upstream Thinking project funded by South West Water. The Report acknowledges the part being played by legislation in producing benefits for marine wildlife. In the No Take Zone around Lundy Island, lobsters are now five times more abundant and individuals 9% larger than in surrounding waters. The Northern Devon Nature Improvement Area is also a prime example of the new mood of partnership working. An array of organisations led by Devon Wildlife Trust is working with local communities and landowners to improve the quality of habitats and water in the River Torridge catchment. What's more, the project is linking physical health, mental well-being and cultural richness to the quality of Devon's natural environment and the enjoyment it brings to residents and visitors alike. The Devon Local Nature Partnership, 'Natural Devon', is the umbrella body behind the State of Devon's Nature report. Natural Devon's aim is to get everyone in the county to work better together to ensure the protection of Devon's wildlife, not just for its own sake but because it underpins our high quality of life. Chair of the Devon Local Nature Partnership is Suzanne Goodfellow. Formerly Director of Conservation at Dartmoor National Park Authority, she stressed the importance of partnership working: "Devon is a wonderful place for people and wildlife! And Natural Devon is in the business of bringing them together for their mutual benefit. We now have a great partnership of environmental, health, community and economic organisations working together to connect people and nature." TV wildlife-presenter Nick Baker will be speaking at Friday's conference in Collumpton, launching the State of Devon's Nature report, along with Devon Local Nature Partnership's own prospectus. The conference will bring together a broad range of interests - health professionals, farmers, economists, planners and ecologists to discuss how to achieve Natural Devon's vision for Devon. Suzanne Goodfellow continued: "Our new prospectus is based on extensive consultation with the people of Devon and sets out our priorities for the next five years. At the conference we will draw up a list of actions to help us achieve them. Natural Devon is also today publishing the State of Devon's Nature report, full of information about Devon's wildlife from a large number of expert individuals and organisations. We thank them for their contributions and hope that the report will be used by everyone to help them to make wise decisions about our natural environment and enjoy finding out more."

Photo Curlew copyright Darin Smith - All rights reserved

The State of Devon's Nature, is being launched this Friday (7 March 2014) - Report provides verdict on Devon's wildlife winners and losers 

* New report offers insight into fortunes of Devon's wildlife 

* Report warns of struggling species and suffering landscapes 

* Evidence shows that ambitious, collaborative work between landowners, farmers, conservation charities and statutory bodies offers best way forward 

* TV's Nick Baker to launch report at Cullompton conference

Artist finds his muse in former clay quarry

A Westcountry artist has been appointed to the position of 'Artist in Residence' at one of the region's largest nature reserves. Peter Baker moved to the north Devon village of Meeth just two years ago. As a life-long artist, Peter soon found himself searching for a new local muse - to act as a focus for his painting and artistic expression. So when Devon Wildlife Trust bought the 150 hectares of Meeth Quarry in 2012, opening the site as a nature reserve in May 2013, he was delighted to find that this inspiration actually existed right at the bottom of his garden. Devon Wildlife Trust's work over the past year improving the former clay quarry (production ended in 2004) as a place for people and wildlife has provided Peter with a focus for his art. The tracks, paths, woodlands and lakes of the new nature reserve have given Peter a huge new outdoor studio. The nature reserve is now providing the stimulus for a series of works in pen and ink and some watercolour studies. Peter's approach means he often spends hours each day exploring and sketching the reserve. He spoke of his fascination for Meeth Quarry: "'When I moved to the lovely village of Meeth I had no idea that my wife and I were going to be living next to the Tarka Trail and the new Meeth Quarry nature reserve. Peter continued: "The 'mood' of the reserve changes with the weather and the season giving endless inspiration to any painter. Being a marine artist I have had to change my style and method of working, you don't find many trees growing on beaches, but I find this unique challenge exciting and I am looking at nature with young eyes. I hope that my recent artwork will illustrate my curiosity and pure pleasure in depicting my new surroundings." Meeth Quarry is one of 48 nature reserves owned by the charity Devon Wildlife Trust. Tamasine Addie, Community Outreach Officer for the Trust's Northern Devon Nature Improvement Area project, said: "Peter's work is wonderful. It beautifully captures the spirit and wild atmosphere of Meeth Quarry nature reserve. It's just the kind of connection we hoped people in the local community would make with this place. Peter's art may be one man's vision of the reserve, however it's a vision that he very much wants to share. We think his work will really help people see the landscape at Meeth Quarry and appreciate it in a different way. It may even encourage people's own artistic responses to this wonderful place." Tamasine continued: "Peter is working on the first of what we hope will be a series of paintings and studies that showcase elements of the nature reserve in a new light. When complete, we plan to make these accessible with, perhaps, a local show of work or may be even on the nature reserve itself." At the moment you can see a selection of Peter Baker's pen and wash depictions of Meeth nature reserve at the Society of Graphic Fine Art's website www.sgfa.org.uk or see them at the Northern Devon Nature Improvement Area website, www.northerndevonnia.org where you can also find out more about the NIA project and its links with local communities. 

'Meeth Quarry Works' - (Image copyright Peter Baker , all rights reserved)

'Autumn' -  (Image copyright Peter Baker , all rights reserved)

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.