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...
In a flurry of autumnal activity, the Fingle tree nursery started to grow last year. A deer proof fence went up and a set of raised beds was creatively constructed by the volunteers. A few seedlings were set out and then … how things have...
While we may be enjoying watching the progress of the autumnal colours at Fingle, for centuries this time of year would have been a busy round of foraging, as well as gathering the food and wood that would have helped people, livestock and wildlife make...
A Big thank you to Geoff Foale who has shared his Wildlife Records from Aveton Wood & Woodleigh Wood, by providing an extensive record of his findings, and some stunning photos too. This is what Geoff had to say, and some of his photos Being over...
For thousands of years the prominent position occupied by Wooston Hillfort has played an important role for both wildlife and the human species. Long before the Iron Age settlers, the look of this bulging spur of land has transformed from one era to the next....