Update from Suzanne Goodfellow, Natural Devon's Chair

It has been an active and productive summer as we have worked together to develop Natural Devon's role, coordinating and facilitating new initiatives and supporting exciting projects around the county in line with our Prospectus.

Theme leads are doing great work in bringing people together from a wide range of sectors to discuss synergies, gaps in delivery and next steps.  Our Naturally Healthy work has been especially well received.  We have published the results of our research into the barriers preventing people from being naturally active and presented this at a national Defra workshop.  Links were made with Natural England's national health lead who has part funded a Devon schools project looking at the health benefits of Outdoor Learning.    Workshops have also been held to discuss wood fuel initiatives and to develop a Devon marine action plan.  A brief update on all themes is given below, more information can be found on our website and headline actions are set out in our rolling Action Plan.    

Some of you will have been involved in the two Devon agri-environment data workshops held this summer.  Given concerns expressed at these events we wrote to the Minister (on behalf of all LNPs) and I attended the national stakeholder group meeting.  Discussions relating to the use of local data are ongoing.  We now have the opportunity to comment on Targeting Statements, please see the NELMS article below for more information. 

Many thanks to all those who are working so willingly with others to protect and improve Devon’s environment, grow our green economy and reconnect people with nature – in partnership!

Sustainable Seas

Our September workshop brought together organisations working on Devon's marine environment in order to develop an action plan for our Sustainable Seas theme and identify some quick wins.  Three projects were identified for early delivery:  (i) a central hub for marine natural environment data (ii) a register of research activities and questions (iii) a register of existing marine projects and initiatives.  A data meeting is being held in November and a final action plan should be out by the end of the year.  Notes from the meeting and a draft action plan can be found here.  Please contact Richard White if you would like to get involved. 

 Contacts for the Sustainable Seas priority theme:  Richard White (DWT) and Professor Martin Attrill (Plymouth University)

Workshop - how you can help people to be  'naturally active' 

An event is being held on Thursday 27th November in Exeter to disseminate the findings of our research into the barriers which prevent people from being naturally active.  Presentations from Public Health, Active Devon, Devon Wildlife Trust and the National Parks will stimulate discussion and ideas.  To book a place or find out more email Mabel Harris.  Places are limited.  See the behaviour change scoping report.

Our Naturally Healthy work has been published as a case study in the Public Health England publication ‘Paths to Public Health and wellbeing’.

Contacts for this Naturally Healthy priority theme:  Patsy Temple (Public Health) and Susan Warren (Devon Wildlife Trust)     

Funding secured for a schools project

The Outdoor Learning theme is led by the Devon Education for Sustainability Working Group (DESWG).  Following an LNP meeting with Natural England DESWG has received funding from Natural England, CPRE Devon and Natural Devon for a two year project to demonstrate the health benefits of embedding outdoor learning into schools.  

DESWG is also planning an Outdoor Learning conference for 2015.  Further information on the project and conference will be available on Natural Devon's website shortly. 

Contacts for this Outdoor Learning priority theme:  David Weatherley (schools improvement adviser and DESWG Chair) and Orlando Rutter (DNPA) 

Our Farming with Nature task group has identified a few short term priority actions:  (i) support for the 2015 Devon Farming, Food and Nature conference, (ii) organising sustainable intensification events  (iii) encouraging farmer led groups to bid for NELMS funding  and  (iv) ensuring that Devon's farm advisers are aware of best practice in relation to business and environmental management.  We are working with the Western Morning News to raise the profile of Devon farmers who are optimising environmental management on commercial farms.

Contacts for this Farming with Nature priority theme:  Paul Cottington (NFU) and Roland Stonex (SW FWAG). 

Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS)

Devon County Council as the Lead Local Flood Authority is currently developing a guidance note for the management of surface water from new development.  Contact Mark Fox.

Implementation of the SuDS Approval Body, as required under the Flood and Water Management Act 2010, is yet to be determined by government.  New proposals may give Local Planning Authorities the responsibility of approving SuDS and ensuring that maintenance regimes are in place. 

Susdrain have produced a great short animation that provides an engaging and digestible overview of SuDS. 

Leads for this theme recently met with South West Water, West Country Rivers Trust, DWT and FWAG SW to carry out a gap analysis, identify priority actions and discuss the potential for Catchment Partnerships to take this theme forwards under the Natural Devon 'umbrella'.  The gap analysis and proposed next steps will be available on the website shortly for comment.

Contacts for this Resilient Wetlands priority theme:  Mark Rice (EA) and Orlando Venn (NE)    

Catchment Partnerships in Devon

In order to meet European Water Framework Directive targets government has encouraged the creation of catchment partnerships across England.  Their main aim is to deliver improved water quality.  Catchment Partnerships in Devon are:  

- The River Tamar (hosted by the Westcountry Rivers Trust), 

- North Devon (hosted by Westcountry Rivers Trust, DWT and North Devon AONB under the auspices of the North Devon Biosphere Partnership).

- South Devon(hosted by Westcountry Rivers Trust and South Devon AONB).

- East Devon(hosted by Westcountry Rivers Trust and DWT).

Hosts have been running a series of events to understand existing work and activities needed.  See West Country Rivers Trust.

Woodfuel brainstorming

Our March conference identified the demand for further discussion on wood fuel initiatives.  Representatives from energy, forestry, environment and economic sectors came together in July to link up Devon wood fuel projects and discuss potential project ideas and funding bids.  A gap analysis is now being finalised and project ideas developed in liaison with the LEP's Rural Interest Group.  Further information (including a list of projects) can be found using the weblink below.  To get involved contact Doug Eltham or Corinna Woodall.

Contacts for this Wood for Good priority theme:  Corinna Woodall (Tamar Valley AONB) and Mark Prior (FC)                 

If you love nature then vote for Bob

In the run up to the general election the RSPB has launched a petition to challenge party leaders to take care of our natural places.