Volunteers from EDF Energy have helped Devon Wildlife Trust improve a wildlife garden at an Exeter school, as part of the ongoing Exeter Wild City project.
The garden at Stoke Hill Infants School now has much improved disabled access while new homes have been created for wildlife including beetles, newts and frogs.
Luke Workman from Devon Wildlife Trust said: "During a planning visit with school Head Teacher Sarah Mackay we decided to widen the path around the whole of the garden to make it accessible for all. The job required a large team so we knew EDF’s Helping Hands...
Devon Wildlife Trust has announced that one of its most popular and beautiful nature reserves is about to grow.
An extra three hectares of land have been bought by the charity to add to its existing 33 hectare nature reserve of Andrew’s Wood, near Loddiswell, in South Devon. The purchase was made possible after the Devon Wildlife Trust secured generous support from the Heritage Lottery Fund and donations from DWT supporters.
The new land is known locally as Wizaller Wood and is a charming mix of silver birch, oak, ash, hazel and willow. Along with hundreds of plants and...
Two rare and distinctive fungi species have been spotted on Devon Wildlife Trust nature reserves in one week. Hazel gloves (Hypocreopsis rhododendri) fungus can be found in hazel woodland in western Britain. It was recorded for the first time at Devon Wildlife Trust’s Vealand Farm nature reserve, near Holsworthy, last week. Likened in appearance to miniature rubber gloves, this fungus sometimes grows on blackthorn, but is primarily found on hazel. Hence the name ‘hazel gloves’, though in Sweden it is known as ‘trollhand.’ The fungus was found by DWT reserves assistant Adam Rhodes, who said...
A local charity is offering people ideas for a wild Christmas with a difference.
Leading conservation charity Devon Wildlife Trust has developed a series of ideas for ‘wild Christmas escapes’ and is urging people to spend just a small part of the festive season and get away from the excesses and stresses of this time of year.
Devon Wildlife Trust’s Steve Hussey explained the idea: "Despite all the merry making Christmas can bring with it a series of challenges to our health and well-being. And if this seems a bit Scrooge-like then which of us can really say that we haven’t...
As community support builds for Devon’s wild beavers, an oil painting of a Devon beaver has raised £700 for Devon Wildlife Trust’s work to keep the animals on the River Otter. The canvas, by renowned east Devon wildlife artist Emma Bowring, was donated to the charity’s Devon’s Wild Beavers fundraising appeal. Support has also been forthcoming from Ottery St Mary schools, Exeter businesses – and even TV presenter Chris Packham. The aim of the appeal is to keep the wild beaver population on the River Otter by securing a licence from the government for a five- year monitoring project to...
Christmas is just around the corner but as the shops start to get busier, Devon Wildlife Trust is offering a day away from the crowds.
The annual Christmas celebration at the historic Cricklepit Mill may only be a few minutes’ walk from the High Street, but to the tired Christmas shopper it will feel like a world away.
Christmas at Cricklepit is being held on Saturday 6 December from 10.30am to 3.30pm and is a day of free family activities. Visitors can have a go at willow weaving and make Christmas decorations ready to hang up on their tree at home. There will be seasonal...
An award winning national property company has added its support to one of Exeter’s most precious havens for wildlife.
The company, Renaissance Villages, has generously donated £1,500 to leading local conservation charity Devon Wildlife Trust to help with the vital upkeep of its Old Sludge Beds nature reserve. The reserve occupies wildlife rich reed beds, woodland and ponds on the banks of the River Exe close to the city’s Countess Weir Swing Bridge.
Matt Boydell, Devon Wildlife Trust’s Nature Reserve Manager, welcomed the news of backing from Renaissance Villages: "Our 49...
A drop-in information day will be held on Thursday 27 November in Seaton Town Hall for people to find out more about Seaton Jurassic, the new visitor attraction for the Jurassic Coast.
From 3pm until 8pm, key people from the many partners involved will be available to discuss the centre, the timescale for the development, what will be inside and how local people can help with fundraising or become a volunteer. There will be displays with plans of the new centre and some of the early interpretation ideas.
Information about the proposed Seaton Jurassic information points, the...
Devon Wildlife Trust will be getting into the festive spirit with their annual celebration held at the beautiful Cricklepit Mill located at Exeter's Quayside.
Children's activities include willow weaving and arts and crafts. Families can also get stuck in making bird feeders to give the garden birds a festive treat.
Seasonal nature tales can be heard in the Story Room, while Father Christmas returns to his grotto.
Home-made mince pies and refreshments will be available and DWT Christmas cards will also be on sale.
Wildlife, communities and local economies are reaping the benefits of England’s new Nature Improvement Areas, according to a report published today.
Nature Improvement Areas (NIAs) set up by the government in 2012 have helped farmers to access EU grants, made valuable contributions towards university research and boosted the £210 billion rural economy.
They’ve also attracted outside investment – more than £730,000 from business partners and £7.8 million from NGOs and not-for-profit organisations.
Environment Secretary Elizabeth Truss said: “A healthy environment and...
