Welcome from our new Chair - Professor Michael Winter OBE

I am delighted to have been appointed the new chair of Devon’s Local Nature Partnership.  As a long-time resident of Devon, and a board member of Natural England, I recognise the importance of the Partnership, which builds on decades of innovative work by the County Council and other stakeholders.  In the context of new farming and environmental policies, alongside the climate change and public health challenges, we now have a great opportunity to put Devon at the forefront of nature recovery and nature based solutions.  I am no stranger to partnership working in the county, having chaired Devon’s Rural Network in the post Foot & Mouth years and more recently the North Devon Biosphere partnership.  I am a social scientist (Professor of Land Economy & Society at the University of Exeter) with an interest in all things rural and, particularly, sustainable agriculture. My interest in the natural world dates back to childhood years in Hampshire and Devon, followed by one of the very first environmental degrees in the country at Wye College in the mid-1970s.   I am very much looking forward to working with LNP partners over the next few years and would welcome any thoughts on how we can continue to improve the Partnership and make a difference, so do feel free to contact me at d.m.winter@exeter.ac.uk .

Local Nature Recovery Strategies, Nature Recovery Networks and Devon mapping

The national Nature Recovery Network (NRN) is defined as ‘a national network of wildlife-rich places’ and delivery of this is a major commitment in the Government’s 25 Year Environment Plan. A toolkit of measures are being put in place to help achieve the NRN including Environmental Land Management (ELM) funding for farmers and statutory Biodiversity Net Gain from development. At the heart of this toolkit the Environment Bill is likely to require Local Authorities to produce Local Nature Recovery Strategies (LNRS). These will set out priorities for wildlife and include a map showing existing habitats and priorities for nature’s recovery. We urgently need to identify priority areas for net gain, carbon offsets, ELM etc and so have begun work on the Devon map, currently being called the NRN Map.  For more information on the NRN pages of the LNP website.

Interim Devon Carbon Plan Consultation & Webinars

The consultation of the Interim Devon Carbon Plan is live! You have the chance to shape the county’s roadmap to creating a net-zero Devon, where people and nature thrive. This is your chance to feedback on Devon’s collective response to the global climate emergency and help create a fairer, healthier and stronger Devon. Have your say.

Big Climate Fightback

October saw the launch of the Woodland Trust’s Big Climate Fightback. Trees are one of the strongest warriors in the battle against climate change, but there are not enough of them to tackle the climate emergency. In order to hit the government's 2050 Net Zero target the UK desperately needs more trees. If you are planting already – why not shout about it being part of the #BigClimateFightback. Or add your voice to the campaign for Government action.

Supporting Community Action for Wildlife

As a follow up to our Chagford Communities Conference in 2019 we have recently brought partners together to consider next steps in supporting community action for wildlife across the county.  A first step will be to provide better information and sign posting via LNP website.  If you have any ideas for the website please contact Katy Ross.  For broader ideas relating to community support please contact Mike Waller.  To share what you are doing via this newsletter or the website please email  Katy Ross.

Tiverton Tree Team

Tiverton Tree Team, (part of Sustainable Tiverton) through the winter of 2019/20 saw more than 100 volunteers plant 4,650 trees. The group is now encouraging members of the community to sow tree seeds at home, ready to plant out in future. Sustainable Tiverton is one of the groups across the Mid Devon and Teignbridge who receive support from Community Action Groups (CAG) Devon.

Devon's Best Churchyard 2020

CPRE Devon has awarded St Margaret's Church, Northam as Devon's Best Churchyard 2020. Over hundreds of years, Devon’s churchyards have come to form part of the county’s rich and varied landscape, green sanctuaries for people and wildlife and this award celebrates the volunteers who are helping conserve these spaces. Read more or watch the presentation video.

Nature for Health Hub

The South West Partnership for Environment & Economic Prosperity (SWEEP) has launched a new Investing in Nature for Health Hub. From here you can access information and resources, view previous webinars and see upcoming events. There is also a Forum for networking and sharing information. Find out more and register for access.

Catchment Resilience Workshops

Connecting the Culm has started work on an ambitious 25-year community-driven masterplan to help the River Culm catchment adapt to climate change, using nature-based solutions. The project is inviting everyone to get involved in a working group which will develop the blueprint for the culm. The first meeting will be discussing Nature-Based Solutions on the 19th January at 18:00. Find out how to join on the Connecting the Culm website.

Outdoor Learning - Network Meeting

Are you interested in networking with other outdoor learning providers in Devon? The next meeting of Natural Devon's Outdoor Learning Network will be held on zoom on the 15th January 9:30-11:10. The session will have updates on Ofsted and Curriculum news and the opportunity share experience from the last few months. If you'd like to attend email Katy Ross for the joining instructions and agenda.

Plastic Pirates are back in schools!

The Devon Waste Education Team has been in action again in schools this Autumn. The new COVID secure outdoor workshops educate children about plastic pollution, sustainability and resources. The waste education team website has details about the free workshops and booking this Winter.

Clyst Valley Regional Park – Make it Happen!

A new public green space in East Devon, involving the rewilding of the river, a ‘Crystal Clear Clyst’, a massive woodland expansion through natural regeneration, parkland and orchard restoration and 500 hectares of new accessible greenspace. Share your thoughts with the masterplan consultation live now until 18th January. Watch the short project film for inspiration.

Food Farming and the Countryside Commission in Devon

FFCC was set up to think afresh about where food comes from, how to support farming and rural communities and how to invest in the many benefits that the countryside provides. Since producing recommendations and  a report for Devon in July 2019, FFCC will spend the next three years working on practical actions to connect  food, farming and the public’s health, in response to the climate, nature, health, and now Covid-19 emergencies. FFCC Devon is one of six inquiries around the UK.

Devon and Cornwall Soils Alliance (DCSA) update

Autumn was a busy season for the DCSA with a number of investigations into soil aeration and health across the two counties with the use of a large roller pasture slitter. DCSA is also working on catchment solutions with seven areas selected for wet weather surveys, the results of which will be published shortly. To learn more about the importance of soils you can watch the DCSA's 'Soils Matter’ video.

Citizen science with Saving Devon's Treescapes

Working with Devon Biodiversity Records Centre and Butterfly Conservation, the Saving Devon’s Treescapes project is monitoring the impacts of ash dieback through citizen science projects. They're asking people to record mature and diseased trees in their areas as well as search for brown hairstreak butterfly eggs in blackthorn hedgerows. To learn more about what to look for and get involved, visit the Saving Devon's Treescapes website.

Meadow Makers

A new 'meadow makers' online forum is due to go live soon. Dartmoor community group Moor Meadows is setting up this Devon-wide More Meadows network to support the formation of local groups, enabling the sharing of knowledge and information. Free online talks with top speakers are planned for January. For further information contact Tracey 

Devon Dark Skies Week Webinars Available

Devon Dark Skies week saw over 400 people attending events both in person and online, with activities designed to help us all embrace the night sky and raise awareness for light pollution. you can still be a part of ongoing efforts to tackle light pollution even now the week is over. If you missed out, the webinars are now available to watch back, along with opportunities to keep learning and get involved with our dark skies challenges and light survey. Thank you to everyone who supported the week.

Update from South West Lakes Trust (SWLT) Burrator Biodiversity Project

Last year saw some fantastic wildlife sightings at Burrator. Churring nightjar, dragonflies & damselflies defending territories and reptiles enjoying the sun’s rays. Marsh fritillary have been confirmed breeding and a glow-worm larvae was found. Since March 2020, the SWLT Environment Team have submitted 1,154 wildlife records to Local Record Centres find out more about the work of SWLT.

Introducing Skern Lodge

Skern Lodge is an outdoor education centre based on North Devon’s coastline, centre of the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Established in 1976, they have been providing education, learning, and fun through adventurous activities and academic fieldwork. Their day visits and local outreach are Covid Secure, and are Good to Go. Call: +44 (0)1237 475992 or drop an email.

Calendar for the New Year

CPRE Devon encouraged Devon's primary school children to paint a picture of their outdoors. The entries were so good, that they are now being shared as a calendar of winning paintings.  These A4 2021 calendars are available exclusively from CPRE Devon for £7 inc P&P!  Funds raised will go directly towards our campaigning to protect the countryside and green spaces across the county.