Wild once more: pine martens return to the South West of England after 100-year absence

A pioneering conservation project has brought back pine martens to the South West of England for the first time in more than a century.*

15 pine martens including 8 adult females and 7 adult males were released at secret locations on Dartmoor during September in what conservationists are hailing as a historic step in the restoration of the region's woodlands and their wildlife.

The return of pine martens is the work of The Two Moors Pine Marten Project and comes after two years of meticulous planning and consultation with local communities.

The project is being led by the charity Devon Wildlife Trust and is a partnership between seven conservation organisations: Dartmoor National Park Authority, Devon Wildlife Trust, Exmoor National Park Authority, Forestry England, National Trust, Somerset Wildlife Trust and Woodland Trust. It has been made possible with the support of The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

The release of pine martens into Dartmoor was the first phase in the project's plans to establish a resident population of the cat-sized, tree-climbing members of the weasel family. Pine martens went extinct in the South West of England more than 100 years ago after centuries of loss to their favoured woodland living places, and as the result of hunting and trapping. The project's second phase will see a similar release of the animals in Exmoor during 2025.

Dartmoor's new pine martens have been sourced from healthy wild populations in Scotland using the expert assistance of The Vincent Wildlife Trust. In a carefully planned operation, under licenses from Natural England and NatureScot, the animals were health checked by vets before being driven to their new homes in Devon.

Arriving under the cover of darkness each animal was placed in its own specially constructed pen at woodland locations which were chosen for their seclusion. There they were fed and watered by a team of local volunteers. After three days of quiet acclimatisation, the pen doors were opened, and the pine martens were allowed to make their first historic steps into the wild.

The project is now carefully monitoring the progress of the 15 pine martens. Each animal was fitted with a radio collar to allow their movements to be tracked. The collars were fitted under vet supervision, are lightweight and have been specially designed so as not to restrict the movement of the animals. The collars will drop off the animals after six to nine months of use.

Pine martens are mostly solitary creatures and live at low densities. The expectation of the project is that the new animals will disperse to establish their own territories. The population is expected to grow gradually over the coming years.

Ed Parr Ferris is Conservation Manager at Devon Wildlife Trust. Ed said:

"Pine martens are stunning members of the weasel family, about two foot long, weighing just 1.5 kilos, with their creamy-orange bibs contrasting against their smooth chocolate-coloured coat. They are amazingly well adapted for life in the woodland night, with strong claws, lithe bodies, fantastic hearing and even reversible rear ankles helping them to run down trees. These rare mammals need our help to return to their former homes in the South West, but we also need their help to bring back the natural balance of wildlife to our woodlands."

Emma Williams is Species Recovery Higher Officer at Natural England. Emma said:

"Natural England has been working closely with the Two Moors Pine Marten project to contribute to the recovery of pine marten in England. This project has shown a great example of best practice, and the reintroduction of pine marten will have a positive impact on Dartmoor's biodiversity".

Ali Hawkins is Exmoor National Park Authority's Senior Ecologist. Ali said:

"We are delighted to see the first release of pine martens back into the South West on Dartmoor. It's been an amazing partnership effort over a number of years to get to this point and we are excited that this will pave the way for a release on Exmoor next year. We have historical evidence that these amazing animals used to be in our Exmoor woodlands and their presence will help to re-address the ecological balance and drive forward nature recovery".

Abigail Parravani is Forestry England forest planner. Abigail said:

"Pine martens are a priority species for Forestry England and I'm delighted we can bring our experience helping their populations recover across England to the ground-breaking Two Moors Pine Marten Project. Restoring a native predator doesn't only conserve the species itself but helps to restore entire woodland ecosystems by reinstating natural processes that humans have interrupted. I'm excited to watch the project unfold and see the positive impact of pine martens on the health and resilience of these important landscapes."

Alex Raeder is South West Landscapes Partnership manager for the National Trust. Alex said:

"The National Trust has been delighted to be involved in this reintroduction project from the outset and it's wonderful to see the ambition of returning this beautiful animal to Dartmoor being realised. The whole project has been a really great example of many organisations and individuals working together to restore nature across a whole landscape which puts us in a good place for further collaboration on natures recovery in the National Park and elsewhere. We are looking forward to welcoming the return of the pine marten to Dartmoor which a significant step in restoring the ecology of these very special oak woodlands so characteristic of the ancient landscapes of the South West."

Eleanor Lewis is Outreach Manager for the Woodland Trust in the South West. Eleanor said: 

"The whole project has been an amazing team effort and the Woodland Trust are delighted to have played a part in this momentous moment. The pens the animals were released into were built using timber which resulted from the restoration of ancient woodlands. It was milled on site by local contractors who then worked alongside our wonderful volunteers to build the pens. The volunteer's focus will now turn to monitoring as the pine martens settle into their new woodland environment. Historically, the loss of woodland resulted in the decline of pine martens, so our focus will be upon working with landowners and providing advice and support on how woodlands can be managed and created to enhance the conditions for pine martens and ensuring they can play their vital role in our ecosystem that has been missing for so long."

The low numbers of pine martens reintroduced, their shy nature and nocturnal lifestyles mean that few people are likely to encounter the animals. However, The Two Moors Pine Marten Project's aim is to engage hundreds of people from a wide range of communities across the South West over the next three years. These opportunities include:

• Chances for people of all ages and backgrounds to become citizen scientists and nature spotters – monitoring pine marten behaviour and other woodland wildlife
• Woodland-themed, nature-based activities and events in communities local to pine marten release sites
• Small grants for community-based projects that will help nurture local woodland wildlife
• A free digital download pack focussed on pine martens and woodlands, containing wildlife spotter sheets, self-guided discovery trails and craft activities
• Advice to woodland owners in how to manage their woodland to support a range of wildlife which will include enhancing the habitat for pine martens

The project also has a strong focus on creating pathways for young people to get involved in conservation through volunteering and traineeships. 

Anyone interested in finding out more about pine martens and the Two Moors Pine Marten Project should go to: www.twomoorspinemartens.org   

Pine Marten - Photo copyright Terry Whittaker (All Rights Reserved)

  Pine Marten - Photo copyright Terry Whittaker (All Rights Reserved)

 DEVON WILDLIFE TRUST MEDIA RELEASE

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The release of pine martens under the Two Moors Pine Marten Project is the first officially sanctioned release of the animal to the South West peninsular. In recent years there have been isolated reports of pine martens in the region, but the origin and numbers of these animals is unknown. Officially sanctioned releases of pine martens took place in mid-Wales in 2015 and the Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire in 2019. Both have produced successful, established populations.

Cow collars point conservation grazing in the right direction

An innovative project which uses digital collars and virtual fencing to direct the movements of cows is now being used in North Devon.

The approach is being piloted in the region by Devon Wildlife Trust’s Northern Devon Natural Solutions project, which works with the agricultural community in the region to improve river quality and local nature diversity. It has been supported by the Naturesave Trust, which is funded by ethical insurance broker Naturesave Insurance.

The ‘Nofence’ system uses GPS technology and a phone-controlled app to set a digital land boundary to control cattle movements.

Cows wear a collar which, when they approach the digital boundary triggers, a low-pitched sound. This sound rises as they proceed and if the cow continues to try and move through the invisible boundary the collar emits an electrical pulse warning it to move back.

The pulse is similar to that used in the electric fencing commonly seen in the countryside. Before deployment the cattle are ‘trained’ in recognising the sound and learn to turn around before the electrical trigger. There is a maximum of three electric pulses after which the pulses cease and a text is sent to the farmer letting them know that the cow has moved through the invisible ‘barrier’.

The collars have been deployed in North Devon and ultimately the goal is to bring a more wildlife-rich Culm grassland – that has been unusable for grazing until the collars became an option – back into positive management. Culm grasslands support populations of rare marsh fritillary butterflies and the use of these collars will allow for targeted grazing that should increase their habitat size, building in a resilience in their population to external factors relating to the climate change and the biodiversity crises.

Wildlife sites such as these with good ranges of wildflowers, insects, birds and small mammals are easily lost because of a lack of suitable grazing livestock. Sites can quickly be overtaken by the growth of grasses, brambles and other scrub plants if cattle aren’t on hand to keep them in check.

Now the Northern Devon Natural Solutions team is looking to expand the Nofence approach to other suitable spots in North Devon. The system requires none of the traditional infrastructure of fences, fence posts and gates. This makes it ideally suited to places such as moorlands or woodlands where traditional fencing methods are either not allowed, not effective or cannot be economically justified.

Ewan Wallis is Northern Devon Natural Solutions project team manager. Ewan said:

“The collars have proven to be a very effective tool for bringing marginal land back into positive management for wildlife – whilst also providing the farmer with peace of mind as they can see where there are animals are. Lessons have been learned on the best way to train the cattle – an essential process for them to be used effectively – and I am very interested to see if we kind find other sites where fenceless grazing collars can be deployed. The purchase of these collars was only possible thanks to funding from both the Naturesave Trust and the Environment Agency.”

People with sites in northern Devon within the project area who want to discuss using the collars with their cattle are being encouraged to get in touch with Devon Wildlife Trust’s Ewan Wallis on ewallis@devonwildlifetrust.org to explore options.

Cattle in North Devon using the Nofence collars Photo credit Devon Wildlife Trust

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Media Release from Devon Wildlife Trust

Devon Wildlife Trust is a leading environmental charity, with more than 36,000 members. The charity manages 60 nature reserves across Devon, including a range of beautiful landscapes such as woodlands, meadows, wetlands and heaths. Devon Wildlife Trust relies on charitable donations, grants and the generous support of its members and the general public to raise more than £5million every year. Money raised is spent maintaining our work for wildlife conservation and education in Devon, for present and future generations. More at www.devonwildlifetrust.org

Voters to quiz political parties on environmental issues

Voters in Devon are being given a unique chance to ask the main political parties about their environmental policies and plans at an on-line ‘Nature Hustings’

The charity Devon Wildlife Trust is staging the event on Monday 10 June at 6pm. The hustings will be on-line only and accessible via Zoom. The hustings are open to everybody and free to attend. However, people must pre-book for the event at https://www.devonwildlifetrust.org/election-24

The General Election candidates who will be attending the hustings are:

• Selaine Saxby, Conservatives, North Devon
• Robert Bagnall, Green Party, South Devon
• Richard Foord, Liberal Democrat, Honiton & Sidmouth
• Steve Race, Labour, Exeter

The hustings is being staged by the charity Devon Wildlife Trust. Its Chief Executive is Nick Bruce-White. Nick said:

“Research shows that issues around nature and the wider environment are a key factor in making up people’s minds on how they vote. Here in Devon, where our natural assets are a major factor in our economy and quality of life, nature is a top issue in this General Election.

We think it’s important that voters are given the opportunity to hear what the main political parties plan to do to ensure that Devon and the UK can meet the environmental challenges we all face. I’m sure topics such as climate change, river quality, the future of farming and fisheries, and the decline of once common wildlife will all come up in the hustings. It should be a fascinating evening and I’d urge people to attend.”

The format of the event will see candidates answer questions from Devon Wildlife Trust and from conservation charity partners the RSPB and the Woodland Trust. There will also be an opportunity for the public attending to submit their nature and environment-themed questions during the event.

People unable to attend the Nature Hustings will be able to catch up on the event via Devon Wildlife Trust’s YouTube channel.

 

‘Nature Hustings’ participants for Devon Wildlife Trust on the 10th June

Devon Wildlife Trust Media Release 4th June 2024
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Devon Wildlife Trust is a leading environmental charity, with more than 36,000 members. The charity manages 60 nature reserves across Devon, including a range of beautiful landscapes such as woodlands, meadows, wetlands and heaths. Devon Wildlife Trust relies on charitable donations, grants and the generous support of its members and the general public to raise more than £5million every year. Money raised is spent maintaining our work for wildlife conservation and education in Devon, for present and future generations. More at www.devonwildlifetrust.org

Conservationists win National Lottery support for Pine Marten reintroduction

Conservation organisations win support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund for woodland restoration and bringing back a lost member of our woodland communities

A partnership of leading conservation organisations has received a National Lottery Heritage Fund grant of £1.2million which will allow it to boost the recovery of the South West's woodlands through the reintroduction of a lost native animal: the pine marten.

Pine Martens Bounce Back: The Two Moors Pine Marten Project is centred on Dartmoor and Exmoor. Made possible by money raised by National Lottery players, the project focuses on the reintroduction of pine martens to the region after an absence of 150 years. Alongside the animal's return will be an ambitious programme of community activities which will engage thousands of people in exploring, learning about and caring for the region's woodlands.

The project is being led by the charity Devon Wildlife Trust and is a partnership between seven conservation organisations: Dartmoor National Park Authority, Devon Wildlife Trust, Exmoor National Park Authority, Forestry England, National Trust, Somerset Wildlife Trust and Woodland Trust.

Around 40 pine martens will be released over the next two years at carefully selected locations on Dartmoor and Exmoor. The timings of the releases are yet to be disclosed. The new pine martens are being sourced under license from existing healthy populations in Scotland.

The animal's return will signal the start of an ambitious community engagement project. Over three years, thousands of people will support the return of this missing piece of our woodland community and help restore the region's woodlands. Hundreds of opportunities will be made available to people from across the South West drawn from diverse backgrounds. Just some of these opportunities will include:Woodland and hedgerow creation and restoration activities

• Chances for people of all ages and experience to become citizen scientists and nature spotters – monitoring pine marten behaviour and other woodland wildlife
• Woodland-themed, nature-based activities and events in communities local to pine marten release sites
• Small grants for community-based projects that will help nurture local woodland wildlife
• A free digital download pack focussed on pine martens and woodlands, containing wildlife spotter sheets, self-guided discovery trails and craft activities

The project also has a strong focus on creating pathways for young people to get involved in conservation through volunteering and traineeships.

Ed Parr Ferris is Devon Wildlife Trust's Conservation Manager. Ed said:

"We are thrilled to have received this support thanks to National Lottery players. The return of pine martens to the South West of England is an exciting development and follows other successful reintroductions of the animal in the Forest of Dean and Wales.

Like the rest of our countryside, our region's woodlands have seen a recent decline in the community of wildlife they support. This makes the prospect of bringing back an animal which was once a common part of that community so exciting.

This project will ensure that people from lots of different backgrounds are able to play a part in the return of pine martens and to celebrate our region's wonderful woodlands."

Alex Raeder is South West Landscapes Partnerships Manager at the National Trust. Alex said:

"The National Trust is delighted to be a partner in this project that will bring back a beautiful and charismatic animal to the woodlands of the South West, lost from our landscape since the nineteenth century. We hope this will inspire a wide range of people in nature restoration and we will be creating lots of opportunities for participation in projects like citizen science as part of our strategy for a restored and nature rich countryside in the South West of England."

Eleanor Lewis. Woodland Trust's Outreach Manager South West said:

"The feasibility study as part of the [The Two Moors Pine Marten Project] development phase work, has given us the confidence that woodlands across the Two Moors are suitable for these releases. From the Woodland Trust's State of Woods and Trees report we know that our woods need to be in better condition to allow the ecosystem to function at its best. Introducing pine martens will support that, they are a missing piece in the woodland food chain, but we also look forward to working with the project advisers, who will be liaising with landowners, to explore way that woodlands and hedges within the Two Moors are managed to encourage the conditions to support our wildlife including the pine marten."

Stuart McLeod, Director, London & South, The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said:

"We are delighted to be supporting a project which will not only see the reintroduction of pine martens to the South West but inspire local communities to enjoy and care for their woodlands. This is an important initiative that fits with our ambition to help habitats and species thrive, reducing and mitigating the impacts of climate change, while helping people connect to our unique natural heritage."

Pine Marten. Photo credit Mark Hamblin 

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Two Moors Pine Marten Project Officer, Daniel Brown, surveys for signs of pine martens on a recent research trip to Scotland

Devon Wildlife Trust Media Release Monday 20th May 2024.

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Hundreds of wildlife sites vulnerable to neglect and destruction, report finds

A new report has revealed the vulnerability of many of Devon’s important nature havens.

The newly published Devon’s County Wildlife Sites Report [view the report here] is the work of Devon Wildlife Trust, Devon Biodiversity Records Centre and Devon County Council.

It highlights the value to nature and people of 2,191 County Wildlife Sites which together cover 5% of Devon’s land area. However, it concludes that, while many are being carefully looked after by landowners, half are not being managed well or are in ‘unfavourable condition’, while a further 14% are in a poor condition which threatens their value to local wildlife.

County Wildlife Sites are wildlife-rich places which have been recognised for their special nature value. However, unlike statutory designations, such as Sites of Special Scientific Interest, County Wildlife Sites provide the land and wildlife they contain with no legal protection. The report concludes that this leaves them especially vulnerable.

County Wildlife Sites include some of Devon’s most precious landscapes. These include notable places such as the River Dart Estuary, along with dozens of less well-known moorlands, meadows, heathlands and ancient woodlands.

Together the County Wildlife Sites offer important homes to some of the county’s most iconic wildlife including temperate rainforests, wildflower rich hay meadows, traditional orchards, Culm grasslands and heaths. These habitats support butterflies in rapid decline such as the pearl-bordered fritillary and grizzled skipper, otters and nationally scarce breeding birds such as cirl bunting.

The report also stresses the vital part played by County Wildlife Sites in linking together other nature hotspots, providing ‘green and blue corridors’ along which wildlife can move in otherwise often hostile environments shaped by our roads, buildings and intensive agriculture.

However, it warns that despite the importance of County Wildlife Sites to the health of local nature, they ‘largely go unnoticed and are underappreciated’ and that they ‘face an uncertain future. Some have already been lost forever, others are in danger of going the same way.’

The report highlights County Wildlife Sites vulnerability to change from the intensification of agriculture, urban expansion, neglect/abandonment and the spread of invasive species.

The report is the culmination of 12 years work by Devon Biodiversity Records Centre staff, its partners and volunteers. Together the team surveyed 1,156 County Wildlife Sites covering 13,000 hectares and found 1,600 different species.

Analysis by Devon Biodiversity Records Centre discovered that:

• 34% of County Wildlife Sites were in good condition

• 52% were either not being managed well or were in ‘unfavourable condition’

• 14% were in poor condition and in danger of losing their County Wildlife Site status

• 24 County Wildlife Sites had been destroyed altogether

Peter Burgess is Devon Wildlife Trust’s Director of Nature’s Recovery. Peter said:

“Devon is a county known for its wealth of wildlife. However, only a tiny proportion is provided legal protection. If we are to collectively meet government targets to protect 30% of land in recovery for nature by 2030, we need to ensure those that manage County Wildlife Sites are supported so that these areas can thrive.

Our report reveals the good work being done by many landowners to manage sites for nature – but is a sobering reminder of the scale of the challenge elsewhere.”

Ian Egerton is the Business Manager of Devon Biodiversity Records Centre. Ian said:

“DBRC has been custodian of the County Wildlife Sites programme since the 1990s, and has led on the designation, survey and monitoring of these sites, through significant changes in the conservation and planning landscape. The information captured by our survey team is vital intelligence on the location and condition of some of our most important habitats. It’s vitally important that we can liaise directly with these landowners, signposting them to appropriate advice and funding, to better aid their positive site management. As many already go to great lengths to look after these wildlife havens on our behalf, but many more could if the resources were made available.”

Devon’s County Wildlife Sites 2009-2022 concludes by outlining a vision which offers better protection to nature. It stresses the need to increase the monitoring of current sites to ensure that an accurate check on their health and to offer better protection. It also recommends that a further 1,000 wildlife rich places are surveyed and identified over the coming decade to extend the protection offered to Devon’s wild places.

The report’s authors - Devon Wildlife Trust, Devon Biodiversity Records Centre and Devon County Council – are now seeking partners to make this vision become a reality. If you think your community, business, or organisation can help in this essential work for the nature of Devon get in touch at Devon Biodiversity Records Centre’s Ian Egerton on email iegerton@devonwildlifetrust.org or by calling 01392 274128.

The report can be downloaded here.

The location of Devon’s County Wildlife Sites can be viewed via Devon County Council’s Environment Viewer at https://tinyurl.com/3uchvbfy

 County Wildlife Sites offer homes to rare wildlife such as the pearl-bordered fritillary butterfly. Photo credit Chris Root

Devon Wildlife Trust Media Release Thursday 16 May 2024

Join the world's largest garden wildlife survey.

The new year has quite literally stormed in with lashing rain and winds. Storm Isha and Jocelyn caused havoc  within 2 weeks of each other in January. There have been ten named storms since last September so nature needs a helping hand. Anyone whose seen my posts across the web and social media will know I'm an avid birdwatcher out and about North Devon and Exmoor but also love taking photos of the coming and goings in my garden.

I can now list the Goldfinches as regular visitors on the feeder along with Sparrows, Chaffinch, Coal Tit, Blue Tits, Doves, Dunnock, Great Tits, Blackbirds, Robin, Wood Pigeons and a very camera-shy Wren. At this time of year we also have daily ravenous marauders, the Starlings. Depen ding on the time of year we also have fleeting visits from a Woodpecker, Nuthatch, Jay, a male Bull Finch and a pair of Siskins. Its great to know that my messy garden is home to them during the nesting season. You can see a variety of photos of fledglings on my flickr. 

I  regularly submit my results the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch each year which this year is from 26-28th January so here is an opportunity to help the RSPB understand how the birds are doing.

"Big Garden Birdwatch is fun, free and for everyone. And you don’t need a garden to take part! Counting birds from your balcony, or your local park...You can sign up for your free guide and let's look out for birds together on 26-28 January." Find out more at (rspb.org.uk)

The RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch is from 26-28th January 2024. They are counting on you to count the birds in your garden. Click here to find out more

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Project takes flight to save rare butterflies

A leading Devon-based conservation charity is hoping to turn around the fortunes of four of the county's rarest butterflies.

The Devon Fritillary Recovery Project is the work of Devon Wildlife Trust. Its aim is to help struggling populations of high brown, pearl-bordered, small pearl-bordered and marsh fritillary butterflies.

All have seen their populations shrink dramatically in recent decades due to changes in farming, loss of habitat and climate change. The high brown fritillary, for example, has seen its numbers crash by 96% and is now one of the UK's 'most threatened species'. 

The new project, which is set to run for 2 years, is receiving support from Natural England's Species Recovery Programme Capital Grant Scheme. The Species Recovery Programme (SRP), which Natural England has been operating for more than thirty years, focusses on reducing the risk of extinction and promoting the recovery of our most threatened species, through bespoke targeted action for these species. The Programme has been enhanced through the new Species Recovery Programme Capital Grants Scheme (SRPCGS) launched in April 2023, driving nature's recovery through collaboration with partner organisations.

A winter of butterfly restoration work will now begin on land managed by Devon Wildlife Trust. Staff and volunteers will be working on 122 hectares – about the same size as 160 football pitches – across 12 of the charity's nature reserves. These include:

• Blackadon nature reserve, Dart Valley nature reserve, Emsworthy Mire and Dunsford nature reserve (Dartmoor)
• Teigngrace Meadow nature reserve (near Bovey Tracey)
• Marsland nature reserve (near Hartland)
• Dunsdon nature reserve, Meshaw Moor nature reserve, Vealand Farm nature reserve, Veilstone nature reserve and Volehouse Moor nature reserve (all near Holsworthy)
• Rackenford Moor nature reserve (near Tiverton)

Jenny Cawson is Devon Fritillary Recovery Project Officer. Jenny said:

"Devon Wildlife Trust's nature reserves offer some of the last homes to our struggling butterflies, so it's vital that we work hard to keep them in good condition. The launch of our Devon Fritillary Recovery Project signals the start of a huge effort to not only stabilise the populations of these rare species but to restore their numbers. Our goal is for their numbers to grow, and populations spread across the wider Devon countryside. The work we'll be able to do during this project will leave a positive legacy which will last for years to come."

Key among the tasks for the charity will be to manage the levels of scrub and gorse across the 12 nature reserves. Helping staff and volunteers will be a new 'robo-flail' – a remote controlled machine which is able to venture into steep and difficult to get to corners of the Trust's wildlife havens.

Jenny Cawson said:

"The robo-flail will prove an enormous help. It can go where it's unsafe or impossible for staff to go, especially on very steep slopes. Our aim is not to remove all bracken and gorse from our reserves, but to ensure that there's a better balance between scrubby and open areas. This is just what butterflies need to thrive."

Other parts of the project will see areas of wildflower-rich Culm grassland meadows restored, plus an extensive monitoring effort counting the numbers of butterflies from the four key fritillary species. These measurements will act as a check on the success of the project, monitoring their numbers over a series of summers.

High brown fritillary: one of the rare butterflies the project is helping. Photo credit Chris Root

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Devon Wildlife Trust is the county's leading environmental charity, with more than 36,000 members. The charity manages 60 nature reserves across Devon, including a range of beautiful landscapes such as woodlands, meadows, wetlands and heaths. Devon Wildlife Trust relies on charitable donations, grants and the generous support of its members and the general public to raise more than £5million every year. Money raised is spent maintaining our work for wildlife conservation and education in Devon, for present and future generations. More at www.devonwildlifetrust.org

New community award will help struggling wildlife

A leading Devon conservation charity has launched a new award to highlight the wonderful work local community groups are doing to encourage struggling nature.

The Wilder Communities Award is the idea of Devon Wildlife Trust. The inaugural award has been made recently to an East Devon community.

Awards are open to everyone in Devon – from groups of allotment holders and workplace employees to residents’ associations, schools and care home communities.

Staff at the conservation charity are keen to stress that the scheme is not a competition. Instead, applications will be reviewed by Devon Wildlife Trust’s Wilder Communities Team. The application process is open now and can be completed on-line via the Trust’s website. Applicants can find lots of guidance, examples and ideas about how to help local wildlife.

Applications to the Wilder Community application process is free.

 

The Trust’s Wilder Communities Team are especially keen to hear from Devon communities who are working for nature in several ways, including:

• Creating space for nature: providing more food, water and homes for wildlife.

• Protecting the local environment: working to protect rivers and streams, to improve soil health, and reduce waste and pollution.

• Connecting local people with nature: bringing local communities together so that they can discover, learn and connect with wildlife.

Each Wilder Communities Award will be made for 12 months, but communities can look to re-new year-on-year. The schemes organisers hope that this will encourage communities to develop their wildlife plans over time, making them more ambitious and increasing their positive impact.

Katie Wilkinson is Devon Wildlife Trust Wilder Communities Team Lead. Katie said:

‘’We have been inspired by the hundreds communities across Devon who are leading amazing projects to help wildlife where they live, learn, work, or socialise. So, we have launched a brand-new award to celebrate their efforts.

There is so much to be hopeful for when we see so many people dedicating their time to help nature’s recovery. From holding environmental festivals to running community science projects or managing a local greenspace for wildlife, and campaigning to get swift nesting boxes installed in a town centre. When communities work together on a common cause they can achieve great things.

Thinking globally and acting locally will help us build a sustainable future where nature and people can thrive’’.

 

The first group to be designated as a Wilder Community is the East Devon village of Chardstock. Gill Keam is leader of the Chardstock Wilder Community. Gill reacted to becoming a Wilder Community pioneer and said:

“I feel so incredibly fortunate to have lived in this beautiful location within the Blackdown Hills for over 23 years. Being surrounded by all the treasures that this rural location has to offer is wonderful.

Our local community already does so much in support of the nature on our doorstep and in relation to connecting to it. So, when the opportunity to recognise and celebrate these connections was presented by the Devon Wildlife Trust’s new Wilder Communities Award, it felt like the ideal opportunity to bring our community even closer to nature.

Using our application form as a springboard, we have been able to acknowledge so much of the fabulous work already being done locally, and to set ourselves some challenges to do even more over the coming months and years.”

 

The Wilder Communities application process is open now. People and communities who want to discover more about what it takes to be a Wilder Community should visit the Devon Wildlife Trust website https://www.devonwildlifetrust.org/wilder-communities

Community members of Chardstock village celebrate receiving their Wilder Communities Award.

 Far left is Gill Keam (Chardstock community). Middle (crouching) Katie Wilkinson, Devon Wildlife Trust Wilder Communities Lead

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About Devon Wildlife Trust. Nature is in trouble and Devon Wildlife Trust’s mission stems from the need for urgent change and our belief that, if enough people care and act, we can bring nature back and do it on a grand scale. For 60 years, we have been at the forefront of protecting wildlife and the wild places that make Devon so special and believe, passionately, that a better world is one where nature and people thrive together. We are the only Devon focused charity that exists to protect all wildlife in Devon, on land and at sea. Homepage | Devon Wildlife Trust

Volunteers celebrate four decades of devotion to Devon nature reserve

A dedicated group of volunteers has celebrated 40 years of work conserving one of the North Devon’s best-loved nature havens.

Halsdon and Dolton Local Group was formed in 1983 to help promote local the preservation of wildlife and specifically to look after a local nature reserve. Ever since its volunteers have worked in tandem with the Devon Wildlife Trust to conserve the charity’s Halsdon nature reserve, a 57 hectare site near Great Torrington. Its combination of beautiful woodland and a stunning section of the River Torridge, makes it popular with visitors and a home to huge numbers of wildflowers, butterflies, moths, birds and much more besides.

The Group recently celebrated its significant birthday staging a public open day at the nature reserve. The event included walking tours, moth identification, badge making, a cake stall and river dipping in search of aquatic insects. Joining the Group’s volunteers and local families were Devon Wildlife Trust’s Chief Executive Harry Barton and Mike Moser, Chair of North Devon’s UNESCO Biosphere Partnership.

Local Group member Marion Philips said:

“The idea behind today’s event is trying to get local families involved. I have lived in Dolton for 40 years and been involved with Devon Wildlife Trust much of this time. Back then, local young mums and I used to get involved doing facepainting and pond dipping. We also organised work parties to help look after the nature reserve. The focus then was clearing the invasive rhododendron. We once had 90 people come to a work party. It was exciting and we got a lot of work done.”

Dawn Lenn, Devon Wildlife Trust’s Volunteer Coordinator said:

“We are so pleased to be able to celebrate 40 years of wonderful service by Halsdon and Dolton Local Group. Over the decades they have contributed countless hours of hard work, helping to maintain Halsdon nature reserve as a haven for people and wildlife.

But that is not all the Group has achieved. Each year they have also staged a programme of regular nature-based walks and talks, bringing the wonders of wildlife to hundreds of local people.”

The event also gave Halsdon and Dolton Local Group an opportunity to celebrate a special award for one of their founder members. Local-resident and former schoolteacher, Diana Goodacre was presented with a Devon Wildlife Fellowship – the charity’s top accolade for its volunteers and supporters. The award was in recognition of her four decades of volunteering in the cause of local wildlife and its conservation.

Diana Goodacre said:

“I volunteer because it’s part of who I am. You feel you’ve done something worthwhile, and my upbringing showed that the natural world is so important.

The bluebell woods in spring here at Halsdon make me think this is what heaven must be like. But I love all of the nature reserve.”

For the latest volunteer opportunities and public events organised by Dolton Local Group go to the Devon Wildlife Trust website at www.devonwildlifetrust.org

Halsdon and Dolton Local Group’s Diana Goodacre receives her Devon Wildlife Trust fellowship award from Mike Moser while Harry Barton applauds

10th anniversary celebrates growth of Coronation Meadows

Ten years ago, the former Prince of Wales launched Coronation Meadows in 2013 to honour the 60th year of the late Queen’s accession to the throne.

In the face of the catastrophic loss of 97% of our wildflower meadows since the 1930s, the plan was to create new and restored meadows using donor seed from remaining fragments of ancient and traditional meadows.

The Wildlife Trusts and Plantlife – charities for whom the former Prince of Wales was patron – worked together to identify 60 species-rich meadows which are known as Coronation Meadows, one for every year of the Queen’s reign at that time. These special places became donors to provide precious seed to increase the amount of valuable and beautiful wildflower habitat elsewhere.

Dunsdon National Nature Reserve, near Holsworthy, was chosen as Devon’s Coronation Meadow. The 63 hectare site is owned and managed by the conservation charity Devon Wildlife Trust. Its network of Culm grassland fields support a rich mix of wildflowers including lesser butterfly orchids, ragged robin and bird’s foot trefoil. These in turn are home to a huge range of insects from bumblebees to the rare marsh fritillary butterfly.

The Wildlife Trusts and Plantlife charities have now conducted a national audit of the success of the project which reveals that a fantastic 101 new wildflower meadows have been created or restored since the Coronation Meadows project began a decade ago.

The charities are delighted that the Coronation Meadows project has increased the number of wildflower meadows and benefitted a vast array of wildlife, from bees and butterflies to bats and birds. The area is still expanding as the charities continue to harvest and spread the wildflower seed in localities close to the original sites so that the distinctive character of each area’s flora is preserved.

Biffa Award, through the Landfill Communities Fund, contributed £1million to fund the equipment and training needed for meadow restorations. In the first three years of the project alone, more than 700 volunteers gave their time to get the project off the ground. Seed was harvested from Coronation Meadows donor sites either as green hay, brush harvested seed or by hand, and this was used to seed second sites in the same area.

Steve Hussey of Devon Wildlife Trust, says:
“We’re very proud of Dunsdon National Nature Reserve’s status as Devon’s Coronation Meadow. It makes for a beautiful place to visit at this time of year.

More than 90% of Devon’s Culm grassland meadows have disappeared over the past 75 years, but at Dunsdon wildlife still flourishes in its full colourful range of wildflowers and butterflies.

The award of Coronation Meadow status has helped us spread Dunsdon’s good influence. Each year we’ve harvested some of the seeds from its meadows and spread them on other grassland sites nearby, enriching their plant diversity and giving local wildlife an important boost.”

Craig Bennett, chief executive of The Wildlife Trusts, says:
“The expansion of our beautiful wildflower meadows is a wonderful legacy for communities everywhere to enjoy. The magnificent sight of wild orchids shimmering in a field of delicate wild grasses in the afternoon sun to the hum of bees is something that everyone deserves to experience and enjoy.

“As the nature and climate crises deepen, we must be bold if we want to reverse declines and help revive our meadow heritage. Ancient meadows have evolved alongside traditional farming methods over hundreds of years. Many of these have been selected as Local Wildlife Sites because of the rare and threatened plants that are found there but they have limited protection in planning policy. The next review of the National Planning Policy Framework later this year must see their protection strengthened. We also need to see greater support for wildflower meadows in the new farm environment schemes – it is critical that farmers are rewarded for restoring locally distinctive natural habitats where wild plants can thrive.”

 

To find out more about Dunsdon – Devon’s Coronation Meadow – go to the nature reserve pages of Devon Wildlife Trust’s website www.devonwildlifetrust.org

 

 

Marsh fritillary butterfly, one of the rare species that Devon’s Coronation Meadow supports. Photo credit Chris Root

Dunsdon National Nature Reserve, Devon’s Coronation Meadow. Photo credit Sam Rose

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For more information, see http://coronationmeadows.org.uk The original Coronation Meadows project brought together Plantlife, The Wildlife Trusts and the Rare Breeds Survival Trust, to celebrate surviving meadows, create new ones and encourage people to discover and enjoy their local special places for wildflowers.

 

For more information on The Wildlife Trusts, Plantlife, Biffa Award

The Wildlife Trusts’ big nature challenge – 30 Days Wild – is back this June

Let nature inspire you every day during our wildest month!

30 Days Wild, the UK’s biggest nature challenge run by The Wildlife Trusts, invites people of all ages to connect with nature every single day during the month of June. This year there’s a new twist: 30 Days Wild will take you on a week-by-week adventure moving through five different themes:

·         tune into the senses

·         movement and play

·         learning and discovery

·         helping nature

·         emotional connection to nature 

These themes will help guide everyone taking up the challenge to reach that 30 day target, whether tuning into the sound of bird life, moving through your local woods by moonlight, building a den, discovering an unexplored country lane or local park, making time to build a bug hotel or owl box or starting a diary of your day-to-day wildlife sightings.

New 30 Days Wild activity packs include a wild bee poster along with seeds and other materials to inspire you to do something wild every single day.

30 Days Wild is funded thanks to players of People’s Postcode Lottery and has grown a huge and dedicated fan base – over two million people have taken part over the last 9 years.

Last year over 500,000 people took part in the challenge including 114,245 households, 11,740 schools, 898 care homes and 1,384 businesses. Popular activities include wildlife-watching, eating outdoors, planting wildflower seeds and listening to birdsong. Other favourite pastimes included bug-hunting, fruit-picking, growing plants and flowers, exploring a nature reserve, creating a mini pond or going on a beach or river walk.

We all know how much happier and healthier we feel when connecting with nature – and we have research to prove it – so save the date!

David Oakes, actor and ambassador for The Wildlife Trusts, says:

“I truly hope you’ll join in the 30 Days Wild challenge wherever you are in the UK! We need nature more than ever and 30 Days Wild is a chance to really celebrate our connection to the precious green and blue spaces both on our doorstep and further afield. Whether you’ve a legendary forest a short train ride away, or a young sapling in your local park that is primed to be the Tree of the Year 2523; whether you turn down the tunes on your next jog in favour of nature’s wild beats, or head to your nearest coastline to explore the rhythms in the rock pools and the sounds of the sand dunes; whatever you choose to do, there are limitless opportunities to dive into this 30 day adventure. However much time you can spare each day there’s always an opportunity to take part, whatever your age. Please get involved and tell all your family and friends to join in too!”

Zoe Hughes, Devon Wildlife Trust says:

“I go outdoors regularly, but there’s something special about 30 Days Wild. The challenge encourages me to connect with my natural surroundings even more and work towards a goal which feels like a big achievement in a busy month. A free activity that makes you feel happier and healthier, with lots of inspiration along the way – what’s not to love!”

30 Days Wild – Big Wild Pub Quiz:

To help motivate people on this journey, we’ve enlisted the help of our Devon friends David Oakes and Sophie Pavelle for the Big Wild Pub Quiz on the 11^th June taking place at 5pm at Samuel Jones, Commercial Road Exeter EX2 1AW. Entry is £1 per person for teams up to 6 people. All welcome!

David Oakes continues:

“Come and join me and the glorious Sophie Pavelle here in Exeter on the 11^th June for the Big Wild Pub quiz or if you can’t make that date join us online via YouTube on Sunday evening, the 18th June, for fun and games with the Wildlife Trusts Big Wild Quiz. Come along to be top of the pollinators or just tune in to be entertained by the incredible and fascinating world of bison, beavers, bees, beetles and bats! Other wildlife species are available. I can't wait to see you then.”

The Wildlife Trusts provide free resources for everyone who signs up. Just register your interest here wildlifetrusts.org/30dayswild. There is also a 30 Days Wild session planner specially designed for teachers to use in class.

 

 The Wildlife Trusts’ 30 Days Wild kicks off on 1 June

·         Actor David Oakes and Sophie Pavelle to host Big Wild Pub Quiz in Exeter 11^th June 

·         More than 3000 Devon residents took part in 30 Days Wild last year, with 2,169 already signed up for 2023

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30 Days Wild has attracted support from a range of famous faces including TV presenters Monty Don, Liz Bonnin, Steve Backshall, Ellie Harrison, James McVey, Alison Steadman and Dr Amir Khan. This year it is championed by writer, ornithologist, activist and Birdgirl, Mya-Rose Craig.

The University of Derby conducted a 5-year evaluation of 30 Days Wild participants from 2015-2020: it found that people reported they felt happier and healthier from taking part, with positive effects lasting for at least two months afterwards.

•  See a summary, 30 Days Wild – a five-year review, can be downloaded here. 

• 30 Days Wild: Development and Evaluation of a Large-Scale Nature Engagemen Campaign to Improve Well-Being by Miles Richardson, Adam Cormack, Lucy McRobert, Ralph Underhill was published Feb 2016. Online here.

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