DEFRA funding obtained by Devon County Council will expand the Future Farming Resilience programme to cover Devon, Somerset, Dorset, Cornwall, and the Isles of Scilly.

The initiative helps farmers, land managers and their families with the transition from Basic Payments to the new Environmental Land Management scheme (ELMS). ELMS encourages sustainable farming practices and actions to increase and support biodiversity.

During the first three months of Bin-It 123 services, Mid Devon’s recycling rates have increased to 56.56%, as compared to 52.02% during the same period in 2021/22. The amount of household non-recyclable waste has also decreased by 14.46%.

The service was introduced to increase recycling and reduce waste. Food waste is now collected every week, while recyclable waste is collected every two weeks, and non-recyclable waste is collected every three weeks.

The National Trust has announced that the largest ever UK wildflower grassland will be sown across 70 miles of fields in Arlington and Woolacombe over the coming decade.

1.3 tonnes of seed have already been planted. The project aims to create 25,000 hectares of priority habitat by 2025.

The wildflower grassland will boost biodiversity and improve habitats for a variety of species including voles, pollinators and bats. As well as being great for biodiversity, natural grassland stores carbon in the soil and vegetation.

The 'Design, differently' programme looks to support communities and Councils to use design skills to solve local challenges and issues as a result of the wider effects of climate change.

The first cohort used design thinking and problem-solving to support a network of community designers working towards similar goals. The second cohort paired community organisations with councils to create regenerative solutions to emerging issues as a response to the climate crisis.

Cohort Three begins this month.

The Ashden Awards are for existing initiatives that demonstrate innovative ways to benefit the environment, boost green skills, tackle inequality and empower communities on the frontline of the climate crisis.

Each UK award category has a £10,000 prize:

• Ashden Award for Energy Innovation
• Ashden Award for Skills in Sustainable Land Management
• Ashden Award for Community Nature Adaptation

Businesses, NGOs, government organisations, social enterprises and community groups are all eligible. Work must be currently available to clients, customers or beneficiaries.

The application deadlines is Wednesday 8th March.

A new draft Exeter Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP) is now open for public consultation.

Exeter City Council and Devon County Council have developed the LCWIP to cover 22 cycle routes and five city centre walking routes.

With the aim of creating a comprehensive active travel network, proposed measures include traffic-free cycle routes, advisory cycle routes on quiet roads, and junction and pavement improvements.

The consultation to inform the final LCWIP will be open until the end of March.

Businesses in Teignbridge can apply for a decarbonisation grant to help them reduce emissions and lower energy costs within their workplaces.

Green Business Grants will use funding from the Government's UK Shared Prosperity Fund. Companies, charities and not-for-profit organisations can apply for grants ranging from £3,000 – £25,000 to pay for things like LED lighting, low energy heating systems, heat pumps, double/triple glazed windows and doors or thermal insulations.

Funding will be allocated on a first come first served basis and must be spent by Friday 31st March.

Environmental consultants RSK continue to work with the Climate Impacts Group (CIG) on the development of an Adaptation Plan.

The Adaptation Plan is intended to help communities across the Southwest to better understand the risks their area might face in future, as climate change increasingly affects the UK. It will also help them to adapt to these changes, by identifying the parties responsible for ensuring community safety.

The CIG is currently reviewing and commenting on a complete draft of the Plan. A final draft will then be produced over the next two months, and is set to be published for a public consultation in the spring.

Devon Climate Emergency continue to meet with existing groups and partnerships who have been identified as well placed to monitor progress on priority actions in the Devon Carbon Plan.

Groups we have met with so far include the Devon Low Carbon Energy and Transport Technology Innovator project board (DELETTI) who are delivering electric vehicle charging across the county; the Cosy Devon board, who work on energy efficiency improvements to homes, and the Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership, to name but a few.

It is expected that the groups identified will report back on progress in Devon towards specific priority actions in the Plan on a quarterly basis, including issues stalling action. These issues can then be taken to the Response Group so they can be resolved.

Free Tree Hubs; Across Devon; Until March

As part of the Saving Devon's Treescapes project, the Devon Wildlife Trust are giving away free trees for people to plant in their gardens. The Tree Hubs aim to combat the threat to trees from Ash Dieback, which is estimated to kill at least 90% of Devon’s ash trees in the coming years.

You will be able to collect between 1-5 free trees along with protection and a free planting and aftercare guide. The trees will all be cell grown UK broadleaf species and will need to be planted within a few days of collection.

The final Free Tree Hub will be:

• Ottery St Mary, Saturday 4th March, from 10:00am

Tree Planting Events with Moor Trees; Across Devon; Until the end of March

Local Energy Advice Demonstrator Pre-Launch Webinar; Online; Tuesday 7th March, 2:00pm – 3:00pm

Social Innovation for Climate Resilience; Crowne Plaza Plymouth, an IHG Hotel, Armada Way, PL1 2HJ; Wednesday 15th March, 9:30am – 5:00pm

This conference with the Building Resilience in Communities (BRIC) project will explore the role of social innovation when building resilience to flooding and climate change. You'll hear about the cross-border collaboration that has resulted in the creation of a social innovation resilience model developed by the project over the last two years.

The event is aimed at:

• Flood risk management authorities
• Water companies
• Environment Agency
• Lead Local Flood Authorities (LLFA)
• Local Councillors
• Politicians
• People and organisations interested in flooding and climate resilience
• Local communities at risk of flooding

Connect Plymouth Launch Event; The Piazza, Armada Way, Plymouth; Tuesday 21st March, 8:00am – 6:00pm

This event marks the launch of Connect Plymouth, the city's new sustainable transport initiative. Plymouth will have a fleet of 500 electric bikes available for hire by the minute when fully operational, 300 publicly accessible electric vehicle charging points and an electric car club.

Go along to try out the e-bikes for free, sit in one of the electric car club vehicles and find out more about the plans for a network of electric vehicle charge points across the city.

Low Carbon Devon Next Steps - The Art of the Possible; University of Plymouth; Thursday 23rd March, 9:00am – 12:30pm

As the ERDF-funded Low Carbon Devon project draws to a close, join an interactive event exploring what’s next and highlighting opportunities for climate-positive business support.

• Hear from partners of the project with opportunities to share
• Learn about a new support network being created by like-minded enterprises
• Build relationships to take positive action on climate change
• Take part in activities to explore the art of the possible

Join others from enterprises across sectors. Open to all.  

Let’s keep the momentum going. Collaborate to drive net zero action.

Community Energy Spring Gathering 2023; Dartington Hall, Totnes, TQ9 6EL; Friday 24th – Saturday 25th March

This open space event is open to any member of a community energy or climate action group, or those interested in getting involved.

The one and a half day residential will take place at the beautiful Dartington Estate and include walks, talks, fantastic food and collaborative discussion themed around community energy.

Previous years have covered topics such as local supply and distribution, project economics, rooftop PV lease busting, fuel poverty and energy advice services and managing your assets effectively.

Tickets vary in price. A Day Conference ticket only is £32 (+VAT).