Communities right across the county are taking action to restore and improve habitats for our wildlife. There are some fantastic projects and initiatives across the county. 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 categories, including the Wildlife Parish & Town Council of the Year Award. If your council has been involved in special efforts to take action wildlife in your area, then let us know! Details on how to enter can be found on the Devon LNP website. This award is only open to those signed up to our P&TC network.
The competition is open until 15 July 2022.
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Initial planning is underway for a Parish and Town Council Wildlife Network event in April. This is likely to be in the form of key topic talks and discussions on nature related issues.
We would like your ideas, and so please email Mike Waller (mike.waller@devon.gov.uk) with any topics you'd like to discuss. For example, best practice dealing with invasive species, or how to manage grass cutting and weeds. We will keep you updated as the organisation of the event progresses.
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Parish and Town Council Tree Planting Questionnaire
Devon County Council, Devon Association of Local Councils, The Woodland Trust and the Saving Devon's Treescapes project are working together to promote and support engagement in tree planting initiatives through town and parish councils.
They have created a questionnaire to establish the extent of past/current tree planting initiatives and to gauge the level of interest (and any requests for support) for new involvement.
Deadline to complete: 22nd March 2022
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Saving Devon's Treescapes Landmark Trees
The Saving Devon’s Treescapes project still has some landmark trees available this planting season for parish councils. These also link brilliantly with the Queens Green Canopy to celebrate her Platinum Jubilee. If you’re interested in planting a landmark tree in Feb or March 2022 then please contact Jaz at jatkinson@devonwildlifetrust.org.
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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.
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Life on the Verge in Devon
Our roadside verges are sanctuaries for wildflowers, pollinating insects, reptiles, amphibians and small mammals. They also provide essential green corridors for which these species disperse.
Devon County Council is encouraging communities to manage verges for wildlife (where safe to do so and not in conflict with health and safety management of verges) through the Life on the Verge scheme. Please email nature@devon.gov.uk if you would like to manage a verge for wildlife. DCC will be sharing some of the success stories in forthcoming newsletters.
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Pledge for Nature
North Devon UNESCO Biosphere is launching Pledge for Nature activities for January to March. Activities include putting up a bird or a bat box, creating a wildflower patch, becoming a citizen scientist, and volunteering for nature recovery amongst others! It is currently building their volunteer database - if you would like to get involved with any tree planting, beach cleans or general conservation tasks please complete this short form.
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Visit the funding page on our website to keep updated with the latest environmental funding opportunities available to you.
Sources of Funding for Tree Planting in Devon
In 2022, there are over 20 different potential sources of funding for tree planting in Devon. They range from individual free trees to large grants for tree planting and have been summarised on the Trees for Devon pages on the LNP website.
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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
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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.
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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.
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We are currently sending this newsletter out to all Parish and Town Councils to encourage them to take action for wildlife. If you do not wish to receive this, please email nature@devon.gov.uk.
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