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August 2025 | Issue 70
With the first hints of Autumn and as summer draws to a close, we are excited to bring you updates, insights, and stories from across the Exe Estuary. This issue highlights the incredible work being done by our teams and partners, and celebrates the progress we are making together toward a healthier, more resilient estuarine ecosystem.
A Fond Farewell
 Eleanor Ward
Earlier in the season we bid a heartfelt farewell to Ellie, our brilliant Coastal Support Officer, who is completing her final internship year with the Environment Department at Devon County Council. Ellie has been a vital part of the Exe Estuary Management Partnership team, bringing energy, insight, and dedication to every project she touched.
During her time with us, Ellie made a lasting impact through her work on the 3Cs Sedimentation Report, a comprehensive piece that shed light on sediment dynamics across our the Exe Estuary catchment. Her analytical skills and collaborative approach helped shape a clearer understanding of the challenges and opportunities in managing sedimentation sustainably.
Ellie also played a key role in supporting the Resilience of Coastal Communities (ROCC): Voices of the Exe Trail, working in partnership with Exeter University. Her ability to amplify the stories of those within the local community brought a human dimension to the research, helping to ensure that the voices of those living and working along the Exe were heard and valued.
Beyond these flagship projects, Ellie has been a constant source of support across the Exe Estuary Partnership. Whether supporting stakeholder workshops, contributing to discussions, or simply bringing a smile to the office, her presence has been deeply appreciated.
Over the past few months, Ellie has been contributing her talents to the Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS) team, where she has continued to thrive. So, from all of us at the Exe Estuary Management Partnership, thank you Ellie for all of your hard work.
If you have any news or events that you would like to include in the next edition of the Exe Press newsletter, please contact us via our email address:
exeestuar@devon.gov.uk
Please note that the following articles do not necessarily represent the views or principles of the Exe Estuary Management Partnership.
We are delighted to report that our recent school engagement sessions have been a great success! These interactive sessions introduced pupils to the rich and dynamic world of our marine, estuarine, and coastal environments, and the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive.
Through hands on learning and creative activities, students explored the importance of biodiversity, climate resilience, and the role of healthy estuarine ecosystems. Teachers praised the sessions for being both educational and inspiring, and we have already received requests to develop river-based sessions, a clear sign that the appetite for environmental learning is growing.
It is important to highlight that rivers play a vital role in the health of our estuaries. They are the lifeblood of these systems, transporting freshwater, nutrients, and sediments that shape estuarine habitats and influence biodiversity. By helping young people understand the interconnectedness of rivers and estuaries, we are not only broadening their environmental awareness but also reinforcing the importance of integrated catchment management.
With this in mind, when our new Marine, Coastal and Estuaries Support Officer begins in post they will be tasked with developing and expanding the school sessions to include river focused content. This will allow us to respond to community interest while staying true to our mission of protecting and enhancing estuarine environments through education and engagement.
If you are a teacher and would like to know more about our education sessions, please contact us at exeestuary@devon.gov.uk.
 Devon Wildfowling & Conservation Association (DWCA) Spring Clean-Up
A miserable and wet late April morning saw members, family, and friends of the Devon Wildfowling & Conservation Association (DWCA) meet at the Fisherman's Carpark adjacent to the canal at Exminster for their annual foreshore clean-up. Following a quick briefing, the group ranging from 3 - 75 years old, headed off, with waterproofs donned, to spend the next three hours clearing the foreshore reed beds between Topsham and Turf and a goodly haul of mostly plastic debris was yielded, resulting in the large skip, fully funded by the DWCA and placed near the Ferry Bridge earning its keep. Thankfully, the weather had fined away as the morning progressed, and the very welcomed post event BBQ was enjoyed in the mid spring sunshine.
Over the past twenty years, the DWCA has carried out these annual clean-ups on various parts of the Exe Estuary, including Exmouth LNR, Dawlish Warren LNR, Exton reed beds, and of course the Topsham - Turf reed beds. It has also held similar projects on various parts of the Teign Estuary. It has work in conjunction with the Exe Estuary Management Partnership, Devon Wildlife Trust, East Devon District Council, Exeter City Council, Teignbridge District Council, Turf Hotel, Exton Residents, and The Passage House hotel in Kingsteignton. It's impossible to say how much debris has been removed during this period, but without doubt, it will amount to many tons.
With its expertise in accessing difficult to get at areas, the association has the ability and equipment to remove debris that many simply won't tackle. In the early days, a good deal of none floating debris was recovered, including the likes of tyres, boat batteries, boat wreckage, bicycle frames, and the ubiquitous shopping trolley. On one occasion, a very corroded Browning 5mm handgun was recovered at the Exmouth LNR. This was reported and handed over to the police immediately, who took it away to use as forensic training.
Thankfully, much of the non-floating debris is a rarity these days and it is mostly plastic flotsam that is being recovered. Still not good of course as we all know the damage plastic does to the environment but even this we're finding less than we would in previous years. Particularly noticeable is the lack of supermarket carrier bags. Charging for these at the till does appear to have had a desirable effect.
For more information on the DWCA go to www.devonwildfolwers.org.uk
Explore the past, present and future of the Exe Estuary by walking the new Voices of the Exe Trail.
We are pleased to share that the Voices of the Exe Trail has proven to be hugely popular, with very positive feedback from those who have taken part. This unique trail, developed in partnership with Exeter University, brings together stories, reflections, and insights from communities along the Exe Estuary, highlighting the deep connections between people and place.
The trail offers a rich, immersive experience, whether you are walking, cycling, or simply exploring online. It is a celebration of local voices and a reminder of the importance of community in shaping our coastal and estuarine landscapes.
If you have not followed the trail yet, it is well worth doing. It is a fantastic way to engage with the estuary in a new and meaningful way, and to hear directly from those who live, work, and care for this special area.
You can find out more and access the trail via the Exe Estuary website.
Find out more about the Voices of the Exe Trail.
 South East Devon Visitor Survey
Help Shape the Future of South East Devon’s Wild Spaces
South East Devon Wildlife wants to hear from you, the visitors who walk, cycle, birdwatch, picnic, and explore the beautiful landscapes they help to care for. Whether you’ve recently wandered the Pebblebed Heaths National Nature Reserve, strolled along the Exe Estuary, enjoyed the dunes and wildlife at Dawlish Warren, explored Dawlish Countryside Park, or ventured to Ridgetop Park, your experiences matter.
These areas are not only stunning places to visit, they are also internationally important nature reserves, protected for the rare species and habitats they support. With increasing recreational pressure, understanding how people use and value these spaces is essential to ensuring they remain healthy and accessible for future generations.
The visitor survey is your chance to help shape how these sites are managed. Your feedback will inform decisions about access, conservation, and education, helping balance public enjoyment with wildlife protection.
Did you know?
- The Pebblebed Heaths support over 3,000 species, including the Dartford warbler and Southern damselfly .
- The Exe Estuary is a Ramsar wetland and Special Protection Area, vital for overwintering birds
- Dawlish Warren is a Special Area of Conservation, home to rare sand dune habitats.
If you have visited any of these sites recently, please take a few minutes to complete the survey and share your thoughts:
https://bit.ly/SEDW-survey
Your voice can help protect these wild spaces for generations to come.
 Annual Salmon Run Celebrations
Hundreds of people will get involved in a 43 mile run from Exmouth along the River Exe on Saturday 20th September to highlight the migratory journey of the endangered Atlantic salmon from sea to spawning ground.
Now in its fourth year, the annual Salmon Run, organised by Tidelines working with Wild Running, Sideshore Community and Westcountry Rivers Trust (WRT) offers people the chance to complete a 43-mile ultra run from sea to moor or take part in a community relay of distances between 3km-13km as well as joining a new festival Salmon Run: The Gathering celebrating salmon and their remarkable journey.
A community celebration for all connecting communities in city, towns and villages along the river to learn about and protect this remarkable species, its journey and significance for our river and culture.
Salmon Run combines running, nature, art and community and ceremony to highlight the migratory journey of the now critically endangered Atlantic salmon on the River Exe from sea to spawning ground in an all-day event with lots of different ways to take part.
Tidelines carefully and creatively reweaves the relationships between people, river, estuary and coastline at a time of climate and nature crisis. This event is supported by Westcountry Rivers Trust, Friends of the River Exe, Exmoor National Park, Wild Running and Sideshore Community.
Salmon Run is centred on a community relay run and an ultra run of 43 miles following the river along the Exe Valley Way. This year the two Olympic athletes are taking part along with the CEO of the Rivers Trust, Mark Lloyd who will be running his first Ultra Marathon. The runners empathise with the salmon’s journey as teams of all levels carry a crafted salmon ‘baton' from the sea in Exmouth to Dulverton, Exmoor, passing through towns and villages on the way. A team signs up for one section of between 3-11km then passes the baton on to another team of runners. In the past, thousands of salmon returned from the Atlantic to the Exe to spawn. Now numbers of returning fish are in the hundreds or fewer, and the species is facing extinction in the Exe and across the UK. The Atlantic Salmon is a vital part of the ecology and culture of our river and many others. Threats include climate change leading to warming water and highly fluctuating river levels, pollution, lack of food and overfishing at sea, and the many weirs blocking their journey along the river. Tidelines is working with Westcountry Rivers Trust to restore river habitat by planting trees in the upper reaches of the Exe with volunteers and we release a new podcast each year to enable people to learn more about this remarkable species.
A festival of salmon & river Salmon Run: The Gathering, at Sideshore in Exmouth, will offer talks (Etienne Stott, Olympic gold athlete and activist and Toby Diggens, river restoration), creative workshops with Kathy Hinde (sound artist), Thelma Hulbert Gallery, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra outreach (musician Emma Welton) and a river-shaped bouncy castle, games and info. with Westcountry Rivers Trust from 9.30-1pm. At Dulverton, on Exmoor Lawns by the River Barle from 3.30pm onwards Exmoor National Park rangers will run creative activities, Friends of the River Exe will share information about citizen science and water testing, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra Outreach will host a music workshop for all and Westcountry Rivers Trust will share info on their work on the Exe as we welcome the incoming runners. Artist Jenni Dutton is creating costumes. There will be a closing ceremony when the final relay team arrives.
‘I learnt that I can run, not just for myself, but also for my community as we celebrate the natural world’ Salmon Run participant
You can get involved as a runner by being part of the first leg in Exmouth at 9am which merges with Exmouth Park run or forming a team or part of a team and running a section of the relay along the river or by running the Ultra run! Come and plant a tree to enhance and restore the river habitat for young salmon on the Exe in Winter 2025/26 or visit The Gathering or closing event or help out by stewarding for a couple of hours on the day. If you care for the river, your community and wildlife this one is for you. Contact info@tidelines.uk https://tidelines.uk/blog/salmon-run-2025/
 Wildlife Refuge Areas
As we approach the autumn season, a reminder that the Wildlife Refuge Areas on the Exe Estuary will soon be active again. These designated zones are vital for protecting vulnerable bird species during their most sensitive times, particularly during migration and overwintering.
The refuges are located at:
- Cockle Sands (near Exmouth)
- The area off Lympstone and the mouth of the River Clyst
These areas are clearly marked and are in effect from 15 September to 31 December, during which time we ask all water users, whether kayaking, paddleboarding, boating, or walking to avoid entering these zones.
The Exe Estuary is internationally recognised for its importance to wildlife, particularly wading birds and wildfowl. Disturbance, even unintentionally, can have serious impacts on their survival. By respecting the refuge areas, we are helping to ensure the estuary remains a safe haven for these species.
What you can do:
- Check signage and maps before heading out
- Share the message with fellow estuary users
- Encourage others to follow the guidance and enjoy wildlife responsibly
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