Monday, 8 July 2013

North Devon's nature lands half million pound boost.....

Wildlife havens across north Devon will see the benefit of new funding secured by a leading local charity. Devon Wildlife Trust has secured half a million pounds to help its work for the future of some of the region's most valuable natural habitats. The funding from Biffa Award's Flagship Scheme, which will be paid over three years, is set to fund the charity's Working Wetlands project in its work to restore, re-create and re-connect the precious Culm grasslands of north Devon. The money was won under fierce competition as Biffa Award's Flagship Scheme funds only two, regionally significant projects each year throughout the whole of the UK. Devon Wildlife Trust's Land Manager, Matt Boydell, expressed his delight at the news: 'We have a track-record of working in north Devon's wildlife-rich Culm grasslands which stretches back more than 20 years. This funding will help us build on this. Our targets are ambitious: we plan to restore 780 hectares of grassland to make it better for wildlife including species such as the marsh fritillary butterfly and the lesser butterfly orchid. We plan to re-create more than 60 hectares of wildlife-rich grassland in places where it is now absent. We'll also be restoring more than a mile of Devon's hedges.' The funding is also allowing Devon Wildlife Trust to 're-wet' 400 metres of the historic Bude Canal at its Dunsdon and Vealand nature reserves, near Holsworthy. The canal's new water-bodies will then act as a vital wildlife resource for dragonflies, frogs, toads and grass snakes. Matt added: 'The funding is allowing us to do work for wildlife which would otherwise have remained beyond our reach. It will give us the opportunity to work with local volunteers, with local farmers and land managers, both on our nature reserves and across the wider north Devon countryside. It's very exciting news for us and for north Devon's natural environment.' Gillian French, Biffa Award Programme Manager, said: 'The Biffa Award Flagship Scheme is a unique opportunity for regionally significant projects to win vital funding. With only two Flagship grants available each year, competition is fierce. We look for truly inspired projects which aim to have a real and lasting impact, and which are either culturally pioneering, or, as in this case, are aiming to make significant progress for biodiversity. Devon Wildlife Trust's Working Wetlands project will play a vital role in recreating and protecting native Culm grassland and rare associated species in Devon, and we are delighted to help it come to life through the Biffa Award Flagship Scheme.'  
Marsh Fritillary Butterfly - photo copyright Chris Root

Monday, 1 July 2013

B10 Event: Torrington Commons Activity Weekend 6/7 July

Torrington Conservators are contributing to the B10 celebrations, marking ten years of North Devon’s Biosphere Reserve, with a weekend of fun and fact filled activites. The event will be held on Torrington Commons on Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 July 2013 from 11 am to 3 pm

Activities included will be:
  • Pond dipping
  • Craft activities – including paper making and paper craft
  • Leaf and flower identification quizzes – with £10 vouchers as prizes!
A chance to enter the B10 prize draw – a variety of fab prizes including:
  • A trip to Lundy,
  • Organic veg box from Marshford Organics,
  • A potters wheel experience from Tarka Pottery in Little Torrington and much more.
Matt Edworthy from the Biosphere Team will be there in the North Devon Biosphere inflatable dome, to let you know more about what the Biosphere Reserve is and does. The Torrington Conservators will be on hand all weekend to tell you all about the history and importance of Torrington Commons. This is a great opportunity to find out what treasures your local environment holds!
Torrington Commons Activity Weekend 6th and 7th July 

Wednesday, 26 June 2013

Something to Write Home About! B10 & North Devon Libraries Writing Competition

As part of the B10 anniversary celebrations North Devon’s Biosphere Reserve is holding a short story writing competition in partnership with Barnstaple Library.  The North Devon Biosphere Reserve is a source of inspiration for writers and we are looking for the best stories about living and working in this special part of the country.
There are three themes to choose from:
  • Past and Future
  • Young and Old
  • Town and Country
and three age groups categories:
  • Children up to 11 years old
  • 12 -18 years old
  • Adults
Entries can be made in writing or in audio format – entry forms can be picked up from any library in north Devon. There are some great prizes including tickets to a North Devon Theatres show, Book Tokens and limited edition North Devon Biosphere t-shirts.
Closing date for entries is Saturday 31 August 2013.
Visit the B10 website
www.northdevonb10.org.uk for more information and full terms and conditions