T-Rex to feature at tree planting day

Saturday 11th February [10am-1pm or 1pm-4pm]

A 4-metre high ‘Rexy’ and his little brother ‘Gordon’ will be joining in the tree planting fun on Saturday 11th February just east of Minerva Country Park and west of Cranbrook. It’s free but please register here so we can ensure you get directions and final instructions. There will be handmade wooden medals for all children that plant a tree, courtesy of the wonderful Dot Workshop at the Lyme Regis Development Trust.

The planting site is on the New Red Sandstone from the Triassic period. Dinosaurs were around from the late Triassic, when a species called Gordonia traquairi lived. Gordonia looked like an armour-plated dog!

We will be planting a wide variety of broadleaved trees and shrubs, including oaks, alders, aspen, buckthorn, hazel and hawthorns.

See you there! Book

Public consultation on new greenspace at Station Road, Broadclyst

We've acquired 25 acres of land and we would like your views on our draft proposals to transform it by creating natural habitats, a multi-use trail, a network of circular paths and a small car park. The new green space is an important milestone in the creation of the Clyst Valley Regional Park.

The public consultation will begin on 6th February for six weeks until 20th March. Drop in to speak to East Devon and our consultants WSP at Broadclyst Victory Hall on Thursday 16th February from 3pm until 7pm to find out more and have your say. A presentation followed by questions will be held at 4pm and again at 6pm.

You can share your views online. When the consultation begins, the presentation and survey will be available at this link:

https://eastdevon.gov.uk/broadclyst-green-space-consultation/

Exeter Science Park

Exciting plans for the future

Sir Harry Studholme (left, former Chair of the Forestry Commission and strong supporter of our Clyst Canopy project) and Lady Studholme (right) with Dr Sally Basker (middle, Director of the Science Park), planting the Zelkova

Exeter Science Park helps innovative STEMM (science, technology, engineering, maths and medicines) companies to deliver extraordinary growth. Many of the businesses based on the park have a focus on action towards net zero, including Treeconomics, a social enterprise promoting the benefits of trees and their positive impact on our lives. Treeconomics have worked with us to understand the treescape of Cranbrook in great detail, thanks to the dedication of volunteers.

To commemorate the opening of the latest ‘George Parker Bidder’ building, Treeconomics provided a Zelkova with the first UK ‘carbon performance certificate’ for a tree. Over its anticipated lifespan, the Zelkova should sequester 5 tonnes of carbon (the average annual emissions of one person in the UK). This gives the tree an ‘A’ rating in carbon efficiency.

The Science Park has many trees and a maintenance and planting plan is currently being drawn up. We are hoping this can include the creation of an arboretum in the parkland in front of Redhayes House (see below). Trees adapted to a future climate and classic Veitch species like Wellingtonia might be selected for the arboretum.

Redhayes House was used by RAF and USAAF officers during WWII but was demolished in the 1980's. We hope to remove asbestos from the gardens of the old house and enable volunteer work parties to get in and reveal the glory of the place, including a beautiful herring bone brick 'ha-ha' and associated lawn, which could serve as a lovely space for workers to enjoy a drink and some Pilates! Image courtesy South West Airfields Heritage Trust