Devon Wildlife Community of the Year Awards 2021/22

Don't forget to send in your nomination forms for the Devon Wildlife Community of the Year Awards.

Prizes include: a moth trap donated by NHBS, 1kg wildflower seeds donated by Goren Farm, and a Guided walk at one of Devon Wildlife Trust’s nature reserves with Pete Burgess, Director of Nature Recovery.

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 are on our Wild About Devon pages. The competition is open until 15 July 2022.

Community Wildlife Grant Scheme – No more funds

Due to a large number of successful applications over the last two months, there is no more funding left in the pot and the grant scheme is now closed to further applications, nearly four months early! We were blown away by the sheer number of people approaching us with project ideas – a testament to the breadth of will and determination of people across Devon wanting to take action for wildlife in their local area. Apologies to anyone who was hoping to apply but please watch this space as we discuss next steps.

The aim of this grant scheme is to provide community groups and parish and town councils with small amounts of funding, anything up to £500, to kickstart groups/projects or advance existing projects, access to advice, equipment and resources. The grant is funded by Devon Environment Foundation, Devon Communities Together and Devon County Council.

July is Get Devon Buzzing month! All about raising awareness of the importance of pollinators such as bees, wasps, hoverflies butterflies and moths, and taking positive action to conserve them.

Commit to making some positive actions to benefit our pollinators across Devon, and take a look at the pollinator resources pages to find activities relevant to you, your business or work.

If you would like to help this campaign, please contact nature@devon.gov.uk.

Devon County Show

The 2022 Devon County Show will take place on Thursday 30th June, Friday 1st and Saturday 2nd July. Devon LNP will have a stand, and will be focussing on the Get Devon Buzzing initiative.

At the show, there will be spotter sheets to take away amongst other things, and you'll have the opportunity to ask us your questions. Make sure you come and say hello, we're looking forward to meeting lots of you!

Action on Climate in Teignbridge

Action on Climate in Teignbridge’s Food, Farming, Forestry and Fisheries group are organising a visit to Challacombe Farm on the 6^th of July (6pm-8:30pm) for farmers and landowners.

They will be shown species-rich hay meadows, rhos pasture, and natural flood management projects, and learn how the farm sustains a profitable business whilst prioritising public goods over production. Please contact Betina Winkler (betinawinkler@hotmail.com) if you would like to attend.

Naturally Healthy May was a fantastic success this year

• Over 60 events with grants around Devon were supported
• Partner events were promoted through social media and on the Active Devon Activity finder
• Event providers were supported with wildlife workshops the month before
• A photography competition was run – the winners to be announced soon!
• Workshops/webinars were delivered to different organisations throughout May

It was a fantastic way to reconnect with different organisations post Covid, and to get out on the ground and take part in some of the events as well.

Devon Ancient Woodland Inventory

The Devon AWI continues at a pace as they enter the second survey season of the project. The team have been heading out all over Devon and the extended project areas in order to visit as many candidate woodland sites as possible.

This field data is vital to supplement to the growing evidence base that will underpin the revised inventory and is key for filling gaps in the evidence base present in parts of the county. They would like to thank their funders and project partners, without whom this review would not be possible.

Saving Devon's Treescapes

The Saving Devon’s Treescapes project has lots of exciting events happening over summer including bat walks, tree ID walks and storytelling sessions. You can view and book on to all events online.

The project has also recently launched the Devon Bat Survey for another year.

They're also looking for communities who want to set up a micro-nursery to grow their own trees, or who want to plant a community orchard or landmark tree. Please email Jaz Atkinson (jatkinson@devonwildlifetrust.org) for more information. 

Living Legends

The Woodland Trust’s new campaign - Living Legends – aims to increase protection for the UK’s oldest and most important trees, like the Royal Oak in Meavy.

The UK has more ancient oak trees than the rest of Europe combined but they don’t have the same level of legal protection that endangered wildlife and old buildings have. There is plenty more information online about how you can help press for greater protection of these living legends.

Devon Wildlife Trust's 60th Birthday

Did you know that Devon Wildlife Trust is celebrating its 60th birthday this year?

Since 1962, they have been working to protect and restore Devon's wildlife and wild places. They are celebrating this milestone with a variety of FREE events which provide a snapshot into DWT's work across the county. You can sign up for these free events online by searching '60 Years Wild' in the keyword search.

Photo credit: Penny Mason

Tamar Valley Invasives Group

The Giant Hogweed Eradication Project reached a milestone in 2021, with the 20^th anniversary of the projects initiation.

This was a good time to review the projects delivery, it’s challenges and achievements, lessons learnt and good practice, with the aim to inform the long term monitoring of Giant Hogweed in the Tamar catchment.

The review report was funded through the RDPE Water Environment Grant. Findings were presented at an event run in partnership with SWLT and SWW at the Tamar Valley Centre in May 2022.

Community Biodiversity Awards

The Tarka Country Trust is pleased to announce the launch of this year's Community Biodiversity Awards. 

Each award includes a grant of up to £1,000 and individualised support from a Trustee. The awards are open for individuals and community groups to carry out projects to help local wildlife. The deadline for applications is 31/08/2022.

Digging South Devon’s Coastal Heritage

The South Devon AONB has received £40,000 from Historic England towards a project engaging local landowners and communities to discover more about the rich time depth of heritage along our coast, and prevent further deterioration of the Scheduled Monuments. 

Their project launched with a 3-day test pitting dig to train volunteers at Bolberry Down, near Salcombe. This coast was obviously as important in the past, and this project will help ensure its long term protection.

You can find out more about the project at or contact Nicky Bailey (nicky.bailey@southdevonaonb.org.uk).

Wembury Marine Centre

With the summer season well under way at DWT’s Wembury Marine Centre, they are busy planning activities for the public over the holidays. As well as the usual rockpool safaris, there will be snorkel safaris, so grab your mask and fins, and discover the wonders that live beneath the waves in Wembury Bay.

There are some extra special events during The Wildlife Trusts National Marine Weeks (23^rd July-7^th August), including ‘Shark Day’, ‘Pirate Day’ and a night-time rockpool safari. For more information and booking, please see  www.wemburymarinecentre.org.

Photo credit: D.Carter - Wembury Photo