Charity worker plugs gap for butterflies

One of the commonest complaints heard in the 21st century world of work is that people now have to take their work home with them. But a team member from a leading Devon environmental charity has now taken this modern phenomenon to a new level. Kate Langdon has spent the last 8 years working for Devon Wildlife Trust - the charity which looks after 50 nature reserves and which works for the county's precious wildlife and landscapes. Kate is part of Devon Wildlife Trust's Working Wetlands team. Part of the team's work has been restoring wildlife flower meadows in north-west Devon in a project supported by Biffa Award's Flagship Scheme, a multi-million pound fund which awards grants to community and environmental projects across the UK. One species of plant they've been especially keen to re-establish is the Devil's-bit scabious. This beautiful wildflower plays a key role in supporting other local wildlife and is especially important because it's the food source of the internationally endangered marsh fritillary butterfly. However, the team's attempts in the past to re-introduce the flower using commercially bought seed have met with disappointing results - out of 4,000 seeds used last year only four germinated! This predicament led Kate and her partner Simon Tomasso, who also works for The Trust, to pioneer a different approach taking it upon themselves to raise the delicate plants in their own back yard using seed gathered locally from DWT's Volehouse Moor and Ashmoor nature reserves. That way Kate could make sure they received the just right levels of water, sunlight and tender loving care. However, as Kate explained, bringing her work home with her did mean the baby plants came to dominate the family's garden and their lives: 'It has felt like a real sense of achievement getting these plants to germinate in such large quantities, and it will be very exciting to see if they have all taken to their new homes, the results of which we will see next year. I have enjoyed watching the plants grow, but I can't say I will miss watering and tending to them like I have all summer!' Kate's efforts were boosted by help from nearby Petroc College in Barnstaple. Students from the college also grew plugs and together the home-grown approach has met with success. At one stage in the summer Kate's garden contained 1,300 plug plants and now the vast majority have grown into healthy wildflowers. This autumn DWT staff set about the back breaking job of hand planting each of the plugs into two sites near Devon Wildlife Trust's Mambury and Volehouse Moor nature reserves, both in north-west Devon. The sites were chosen for their strategic importance as places that represent gaps between existing populations of marsh fritillary butterflies. Kate and the team's hope is that by next summer the plants will have grown and the butterflies will be enjoying them. 

 'Devil's-bit scabious plant plugs dominated Devon Wildlife Trust's Kate Langdon's garden 

and home life'  - Photo copyright DWT (All rights reserved)

 'Devon Wildlife Trust staff begin the back breaking task of planting out the plugs by hand' 

Photo copyright DWT (All rights reserved)

Wildlife charity wins international 'green' award

One of the South West's leading charities has been awarded a top environmental award. Devon Wildlife Trust, whose main headquarters is in Exeter and bases at Wembury (near Plymouth) and Cookworthy (near Great Torrington), demonstrated its commitment to environmental management recently by becoming the first county wildlife trust to gain the prestigious ISO - international standard accreditation. Many businesses are committed to reducing their environmental impacts, but few have taken the time and made the investment to gain the coveted ISO14001 award. Devon Wildlife Trust's Stuart Hodgkiss was the man given the task to guiding the charity through the vigorous accreditation process. Stuart said: "Getting ISO status meant implementing an Environmental Management System which means we took a long look at every bit of the running of our charity and focussed on minimising the impacts of the activities which cause most environmental harm." The process highlighted several areas for improvement; emissions from vehicle use, the amount of fossil fuels used to heat and power the charity's buildings and the amount of waste it sent to landfill, were all things the process uncovered. Stuart continued: "We now place a focus on considerate vehicle use, replacing our cars with cleaner vehicles where possible and to promote car sharing and the use of public transport. We are also educating our staff on reducing energy use and actively seek alternative energy for our buildings to compliment the hydro turbine and air source heating already employed at some of our offices. We also now measure our waste on a monthly basis and set targets for reduction to landfill. We have increased recycling facilities at all sites and our HQ at Cricklepit Mill has become our first 'Zero to Landfill' office, by using Devon County Council's Energy from Waste Facility." Now the work begins in ensuring that Devon Wildlife Trust maintains its ISO status. With this in mind the charity has agreed a set of yearly pledges which include: 

* Reduce CO2 emissions from vehicle use by one tonne 

* Conserve energy to cut reliance on fossil fuels by 1 tonne of CO2 

* Reduce waste to landfill from the charity's offices by ½ tonne in the first six months. 

* Install rainwater harvesting at one of the charity's sites 

* Conserve natural resources by reducing the use of paper hand towels at the charity's Cricklepit Mill headquarters 

* Protect watercourses by equipping each of the charity's offices with new portable and workshop spill kits to ensure that any accidental spills can be contained 

* Install new bicycle storage facilities at Cricklepit Mill to increase capacity and encourage cycling to the site as an alternative to car use 

Stuart concluded: "As a charity whose mission is to protect Devon's environment we need to be seen to be greener than green. ISO accreditation gives us that." To find out more, visit the Devon Wildlife Trust website www.devonwildlifetrust.org

 Photo copyright DWT (All rights reserved)

October Highlights. A celebration of North Devon Coast and Countryside events

How lucky were we to be still basking in sunshine on the North Devon Coast throughout September, a summer of supermoons, spectacular sunsets and sunrises. For camera-happy lovers of the coast and countryside like me there is never a bad time for a walk along the beach or waiting for the golden glow of Autumn in a wooded valley or spotting fancy fungi in the fallen leaves. The Big Sheep will be bringing some sunshine to a normally gloomy month with some more family fun events including "Bonkers for Conkers, a Giant Veggie Competition and of course a Spooktacular Halloween Festival. It's harvest time, and there was a bumper crop of apples, gourds, pumpkins, squashes and vegetables in the kitchen garden at Rosemoor last weekend just in time for the annual Apple Day. Bringing the Octoberfest to a close is a Cider and Folk Festival at the Landmark in Ilfracombe and a Great Firework Display and Bonfire Celebration at Ilfracombe Rugby Club. Another lover of the countryside is artist Richard Long. His Contemporary Art in the Countryside ARTIST ROOMS On Tour will be running at the Burton Art Gallery and Museum until the 10th January 2015. For a night at the movies check out web sites for the Bideford Film Society or the Plough Arts Centre. As you all get ready for Guy Fawkes Night, remember, remember Don't Tidy up Mrs. Tiggy. The beginning of November is when hedgehogs normally settle down for  the winter so this is a time to be extra vigilant. Devon Wildlife Trust advise leaving bonfire building as late as possible.

11th October Bonkers for Conkers at the Big Sheep. Are you bonkers about conkers and think you have what it takes to become Devon’s first ever Conker Champion? If so, register now to take part in the 2014 Devon Conker Championships which is being held at the BIG Sheep in Bideford, on Saturday 11th October.

18th October GIANT Veggie Competition at the Big Sheep. Try your hand at gardening this year and enter our GIANT Veggie Competition - we will be on the look out for Vegetables of all shapes and size for our competition. If you would like to enter please email nicola@thebigsheep.co.uk for an entry form

24th October FREE courses ‘All things wood-fuel’ this Autumn with Northern Devon NIA From 2015 all woodlands will only be eligible for grant aid if an approved management plan is in place. Learn what is required in the plan, how to access the grant and hear advice for those wishing to write the plan themselves or to contract the services of a professional. View details

25th October Halloween Festival at the Big Sheep "FUN BY DAY & SCARY BY NIGHT" HALLOWEEN FESTIVAL The South West's BIGGEST and BEST Halloween Festival. Halloween at The BIG Sheep promises to be the best yet! Enjoy the happy, fun side of Halloween at the "Fun by Day" Halloween or the spookey scary side at the Scary…

31st October Great Firework Display at Ilfracombe Rugby Club Bonfire and fireworks with disco and BBQ until late. www.visitilfracombe.co.uk

31st October to 2nd November Landmark Folk & Cider Festival. Local ciders, folk music and other entertainment. www.northdevontheatres.co.uk  

For more North Devon Events see Local Press: What's On North Devon Gazette - North Devon Journal  

North Devon Tourist Information Centres
Barnstaple Tourist Information Centre, North Devon Museum, The Square, Barnstaple, North Devon, EX32 9LS
Bideford Tourist Information Centre, Burton Art Gallery, Kingsley Road, Bideford, EX39 2QQ 
Braunton Tourist Information Centre The Bakehouse Centre, Caen Street, Braunton, North Devon, EX33 1AA
Combe Martin Tourist Information Centre Cross Street, Combe Martin, North Devon, EX34 ODH 
Holsworthy Visitor Information Centre: The Memorial Hall, Holsworthy, 
Torrington Tourist Information Centre, Castle Hill, South Street, Torrington   
lfracombe Tourist Information Centre The Landmark Theatre, The Seafront, Ilfracombe, North Devon, EX34 9BX
Lynton Tourist Information Centre Lynton Town Hall, Lee Road, Lynton, North Devon, EX35 6HT T
South Molton Tourist Information  1 East Street, South Molton, Devon, EX36 3BU 
Woolacombe Tourist Information Centre The Esplanade, Woolacombe, North Devon, EX34 7DL 
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 To add an event go to North Devon Focus Coast & Country Chronicle Community Calendar