Pipex px® doubles its support for conservation

Devon Wildlife Trust (DWT) has this month received double support from one of its top Corporate Supporters for conservation work around the County. Pipex px®, based in Roborough, Plymouth has pledged £6,000 to support two vital projects in the County. DWT's Warleigh Point nature reserve, near Tamerton Foliot will now be sponsored by Pipex px®. Also benefiting is DWT's landscape scale project, Working Wetlands via the alternative carbon offset scheme run by Devon Wildlife Trust. A cheque presentation was held at Warleigh Point, the nearest nature reserve to the company's headquarters and where a recent team from Pipex px® carried out a Corporate Volunteering Day which involved coppicing of areas of the woodland at the popular site. Devon Wildlife Trust's Corporate Relations Officer, Tracy Ebbrell said: "We are delighted to be receiving such a large amount in sponsorship from Pipex px® in such a difficult economic climate. The relationship with Pipex px® has gone from strength to strength over the past few years. It really demonstrates how the business community is still committed to the environment and keeping Devon a beautiful and healthy place to do business." Sarah Raynor from Pipex px® said: "Devon Wildlife Trust do fantastic work for our environment here in the South West, so we are really pleased to be in a position to contribute to their conservation efforts. Pipex px® get a lot of benefits from our association with DWT, the volunteering days are a great opportunity for us to get involved, enjoy the great outdoors and do some team building with colleagues, so we are thrilled to be able to continue our support." 

For more information about either the projects or becoming a DWT Corporate Supporter visit www.devonwildlifetrust.org.

 

Claire Burgwin from Pipex presents cheque to Tracy Ebbrell from DWT

BIG GARDEN BIRDWATCH 2012.

The RSPB’s biggest event of the year, the Big Garden Birdwatch will take place on January 28th and 29th. Last year over 609,000 people took part counting over 10 million birds which really helped  to monitor how the birds visiting our gardens fared over the winter. If you register by the 26th January you will receive a free information pack and 10% off bird food. You can pre-register at Big Garden Birdwatch website: www.rspb.org.uk/birdwatch. This fun event encourages people of all ages to get involved and really enjoy the wildlife in their garden.

Read more posts of the Big Garden Birdwatch

Charity's conservation kit cuts Culm

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.

Pasquali on Culm grassland Photo copyright DWT