This Devon LNP webinar will be held on the morning of 29th March with presentations on the Devon Carbon Plan and how nature can help achieve net zero and improve resilience.  Speakers include:  

• Phil Norrey (CEO Devon County Council and Chair of the Devon Climate Emergency Resilience Group)
• Harry Barton (CEO Devon Wildlife Trust)
• Dr Matt Frost (The Marine Biological Association)
• Ross Kennerley (Regional Director, The Woodland Trust)

The webinar is free to attend with booking and more information on Eventbrite.

Devon Nature Recovery Network (NRN) Map

The first phase of the Devon Nature Recovery Network Map is now out on DCC's Environment Viewer.  Please go to the NRN pages of the LNP website to access the Viewer.  This map will continue to evolve over the next year and will form the basis of the Devon Local Nature Recovery Strategy, a requirement in the new Environment Act.  We are awaiting Defra guidance and funding on Local Nature Recovery Strategies but work should begin this summer and this Newsletter will be used to keep everyone updated. 

Huge thanks to DWT, DBRC, DCC, EA, Steering Group members and funding partners for their work on the NRN Map.

Defra consultation on Biodiversity Net Gain

Defra has announced a consultation on how Biodiversity Net Gain will work in practice.  Responses to the consultation will help to shape secondary legislation, policy and delivery plans. 

Biodiversity Net Gain will become a statutory requirement in late 2023 when secondary legislation is in place.  However many forward thinking developers are already providing 10% biodiversity net gain across Devon and Local Authorities are developing policies which will require net gain ahead of the legislation.  In light of this Devon Local Authorities and Natural England have set up a net gain Steering Group to share learning and are drafting Devon Net Gain Guidance.  

Government response to the Landscapes review: National Parks and AONBs

The Government's response to Julian Glover’s Landscapes Review is out for consultation until 9th April 2022.

The Glover review looked at whether the protection for National Parks and AONBs is still fit for purpose. The Government’s response sets out ambitious changes to increase access to nature and ensure protected landscapes can deliver more for climate, nature, people and places for the next 70 years and beyond.

Devon Wildlife Community of the Year Awards 2021/22

Communities right across the county are taking action to restore and improve habitats for our wildlife. The Devon Wildlife Community of the Year Awards aims to encourage more communities to take action and to celebrate those communities that are having a real impact in giving Devon’s wildlife a helping hand.

There are four award categories: Wildlife Community of the Year Award, Wildlife Parish & Town Council of the Year Award, Wildlife School of the Year Award, and Outstanding Individuals. Details on how to enter can be found on our Wild About Devon pages . The competition is open until 15 July 2022.

Creating Wilder Communities

Devon Wildlife Trust has an ambition to see at least a quarter of Devon’s population engaged with wildlife. A key part of this is to mobilise community action; to inspire and support communities in creating wildlife-friendly villages, parishes and towns.

The new ‘wilder communities’ team at Devon Wildlife Trust can offer help, advice and guidance to people taking action for wildlife in their local patch. They would also love to share stories of what you and your communities have been up to so get in touch.

Success!  Dawlish Warren Recording Group 

The Dawlish Warren Recording Group has released its 2021 Wildlife Review and Bird Reports which summarises the 2150+ species seen on the Warren in 2021. This also includes the 5000th species recorded on site.

Congratulations to Lee Collins, a member of the Dawlish Warren Recording Group, who won the 2021 Natural England Individual Volunteer Award (the Graftas) for his fieldwork supporting ongoing wader research on the Exe Estuary. 

Free webinar:  Taking action for Devon's birds 

Thursday 17th Feb, 7-8pm

Speakers include:

• Dave Smallshire, a life-long birder based in Devon
• Phil Dean, a member of Brent Birders
• Jenny Fulton Price, part of the Uffculme community group protecting swifts

The webinar is free to attend with more information and booking via Eventbrite.

Sources of Funding for Tree Planting in Devon

In 2022 there are over 20 different potential sources of funding for tree planting in Devon ranging from individual free trees to large grants for tree planting.  A list of funding sources can be found on the Trees for Devon pages on the LNP website.

Saving Devon's Treescapes

December saw the launch of the Saving Devon'sTreescapes project, which will plant 250,000 native trees over the next four years to make Devon’s treescapes healthier and more resilient.

In February and March the project is offering free trees (whips) for planting in your garden or any land where you have permission. All trees available are UK native species such as Oak, Rowan and Crab Apple. Find your local tree hub.

Saving Devon's Treescapes: How to become a citizen scientist

Tuesday 15th Feb, 7-8pm

Saving Devon's Treescapes have a free event, ‘How to become a citizen scientist’. Jess Smallcombe from DBRC will show you how to spot your first brown hairstreak butterfly egg, identify different lichens, and know your oak from your hazel. Book your free place on Eventbrite.

New woodland for East Devon

The Woodland Trust needs support to create a new woodland in Devon, the county where the Trust first began 50 years ago.

The aim is to transform the site near Lympstone, East Devon into a haven for nature. The 54-hectare site is set on the slopes of a valley with views across the Exe Estuary. It already has areas of broadleaf woodland, scattered veteran trees, remnant hedgerows and several streams giving a good starting point for a mix of habitats. Find out more about their Appeal.

Life on the Edge

South Devon AONB has been awarded a £220,900 development grant by The National Lottery Heritage Fund for its multi-partner life on the edge project to help restore thriving populations of some of the UK’s rarest species (Devon Special Species) living along the coast between Berry Head and Wembury.

From April, the project will give habitat management advice to farmers and will pilot the development of parish pollinator plans. By restoring habitat, a sustainable home for rare insects such as long-horned bee, six-banded nomad bee, and short-necked oil beetle will be provided.

Naturally Healthy Forum

The LNP's  Naturally Healthy forum met on 3rd February.  Discussion included the lessons learnt from the North Devon AONB project ‘Nature’s Tonic’, the ‘Nature on Prescription’ work in North Devon, the CAN (Connecting Actively to Nature) project and how to access useful resources, reports and webinars from the ‘Investing in Nature for Health’ project from Exeter University.

If you are interested in this agenda and would like to join the Forum please email Kate Hind at kate.hind@devon.gov.uk

Network of Environmental Educators in Devon meeting

Thursday 10th March, 10-12pm

The network will be welcoming David Weatherly, a previous group chair with nearly 40 years experience, to talk about current requirements for schools from Ofsted, exam/syllabus changes, and the recent announcement of climate and sustainability education.

To join the network contact Lucy Mottram, or Kat Crenol. More information can be found on the Outdoor Learning webpage.

Environmental Land Management Schemes

The Government has provided more information on the next stages of the Environmental and Land Management Schemes, which will replace existing agricultural subsidises.

• Local Nature Recovery Scheme to pay for locally-targeted actions to make space for nature in the farmed landscape and wider countryside
• Landscape Recovery Scheme for landowners and managers wanting to take a more radical and large-scale approach to producing environmental and climate goods on their lands

The schemes are to be rolled out in full by 2024, with £800 million available per year by 2028 for each scheme.

Butterfly Conservation - East Shallowford Farm (Widecombe in the Moor)

East Shallowford Farm is working to conserve the endangered Marsh Fritillary Butterfly. Their project will provide multiple opportunities to get involved with butterfly conservation. If you would like to be a part of this exciting project, please email ellie@shallowfordfarm.co.uk

Let's Create Jubilee Fund

Community groups and artists in Devon are invited to work collaboratively to develop new creative and cultural activity in celebration of The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022. The Let's Create Jubilee Fund provides an opportunity for voluntary and community organisations to work collaboratively with artists and cultural organisations to produce creative events. 

Application deadline: 28 February 2022

Landscape Recovery Scheme

Applications will open shortly for Landscape Recovery pilot projects: ambitious, large-scale habitat restoration and land-use change schemes to deliver a range of environmental benefit. It is open to any individuals or groups who want to come together to deliver large (500 – 5000 ha) scale projects.