The distinctive thatched domes of wood ant nests are a ubiquitous part of the National Nature Reserve (NNR) landscape, frequently ignored or the cause of mild distress if you unknowingly stand within a foraging route on a woodland track. They may be one of life’s ‘you...
Whilst a lot of society is in lockdown restrictions with local walks or exercise being the only solace people can take from a laptop or home schooling, I’ve been lucky enough to be out in the woods creating habitat. We’ve been working in Halls Cleave in...
We held our first all-region volunteer zoom event on Thursday 10th December from 7-8.30pm. The event was attended by 28 people. The evening started with a welcome from Amanda Bealing Volunteer Development officer, explaining the format of the evening and how to use the chat function. Rich Brown...
Tree planting activities, especially public tree planting events, have been affected this year. The need for woodland creation has not gone away and our outreach team (those who liaise with landowners) have continued to build relationships and explore opportunities for tree planting or natural woodland...
Dear South West volunteers It’s certainly been a challenging year for volunteering. Whilst much environmental volunteering was heavily affected the volunteer sector as a whole really came to the fore during 2020. The social benefits for those who undertake volunteering, and for those who are supported...
Although Dartmoor is most famous for its windswept uplands, the deep river valleys carved into the eastern side of the moor form their own unique ecosystem, supporting a wide variety of plants and animals. Among these, one of the most challenging groups to monitor are...
Despite the challenges of the pandemic, the climate and nature emergencies have remained high priorities across the South West, and we have continued to work with local authorities and through Local Nature Partnerships to develop strong strategies and policies that deliver for trees. Recently the Gloucestershire...
Following pre and post-management surveying along Bovey Valley wood’s ancient banks and boundaries in August 2020 (Back in the Bovey blog), professional habitat-management contractors working for the Woodland Trust and Natural England have been selectively clearing holly, beech and sycamore to bring back the light to...
Survey of plant species found on the banks of the pond at Haddon Wood in August 2020. The year 2020 was when coronavirus came to the UK and consequently I was confined to my house and garden for four months due to my husband’s cancer treatment....
The view along the Bovey Valley Woods is a dramatic scene that makes many passers-by stop and stare. Taking time to absorb this spectacle is one of the great pleasures of Dartmoor. It is one of those iconic panoramas of the eastern moor where the...