In December 2011, Devon Wildlife Trust introduced its Pasquali low ground pressure tractor to landowners in North Devon, as the charity's machinery ring moves into gear. The tractor was purchased last year as part of DWT's Working Wetlands Project to help with conservation work on environmentally sensitive sites in the north of the county. The tractor is already being put to good use: this month alone will see it working in the Knowstone, Witheridge and Templeton areas. The specialist piece of kit is designed to handle rough wet ground, and is set up with a flail mower to tackle rush and scrub that commonly invades areas of the Culm grassland that the charity is working to protect. Marie Butterfield DWT's Working Wetlands Advisor said: " This new work follows on from County Wildlife Site surveys earlier in the year where we identified areas of high wildlife value which require improvements in management to make sure they are in the best condition for the rare species. Our plan is to bring in the Pasquali tractor to these sites enabling us to clear scrub and gorse which have invaded their wildlife-rich grassland. The tractor will clear the way to allow long term management using ponies or cattle." The equipment adds an extra element to the already burgeoning range of kit that the charity already lends to local farmers and land managers. This machinery ring includes cattle handling units, a soil aerator, topper and trailer. All are useful tools in efforts to better enable local landowners to manage their rare grasslands as easily and cheaply as possible. For more information about the Pasquali tractor and how to make use of the resource, call the Working Wetlands team on 01409 221823 or email
sberry@devonwildlifetrust.org Working Wetlands has been supported by the South West Water, Tubney Charitable Trust, The Environment Agency, Devon County Council, Devon Waste Management, GrantScape and Natural England.
