Exeter Wild City

What is it?
Exeter Wild City is a partnership between Devon Wildlife Trust and Exeter City Council.  We aim to:

• Make Exeter a national beacon for urban wildlife
• Enhance and protect the wildlife value of green space in the city
• Maximise the social and economic benefits of being a “wildlife city”
• Ensure that the growth of Exeter respects the underlying ecological systems on which the life of the city and the region depend
  

Why do we need it?
Exeter is striking proof that cities can be the homes to abundant wildlife. But, as everywhere, wildlife is under threat.  The city now has a human population of 120,000 – and it’s growing.  We want to ensure that Exeter‘s future development will protect its wildlife give it space to thrive.  

Contact with nature and wildlife is important for people. The project will improve the quality of life for people in Exeter.


Who else are we working with?
Other key partners include the Environment Agency, Exeter CVS and British Trust for Conservation Volunteers (BTCV).

We also have links with a growing list of public, statutory, voluntary and community organisations in the City.  


What are we working on?
EWC has developed a five-year work programme, some parts of which are already underway.  These include:

1. Superlative swifts. We will reverse the decline of one of our most exciting birds by a programme of nest-site creation in the city:  DWT are collaborating with Exeter City Council and the RSPB. Find out more.
   
2. What have we got?  Devon Biodiversity Records Centre have created a Biodiversity Reference Map for the Exeter Wild City Project. The map identifies where the city’s most important wildlife habitats are as well as other areas of green space that may hold some wildlife value and form a Biodiversity Network through the city. The map is designed for anyone that has an interest in the future ecological health of the city including city planners and land management staff. 
   
   
3. Join the wildlife gardening revolution.  There’s huge potential for Exeter’s gardens to become mini-wildlife reserves, stretching across the city to create vital links and stepping stones for wildlife.  Our Wildlife gardening section provides information and tips.
   
4. The Exe corridor enhancement. River corridors provide important habitat and ‘highways’ for wildlife.  Exeter City Council, Environment Agency and DWT have developed a suite of initiatives to make the most of Exeter’s prime wildlife corridor and its most popular amenity area.
5. Natural Understanding.  DWT’s education team is working in Exeter to stimulate young people to better understand the value of biodiversity and to help make their schools more sustainable. Why not get your school involved in the Salvage Garden competition for 2012? Visit our education section for more information.
   
   
   
   

Get Involved!

Why not get involved and join our Facebook group today and help build the My Patch community!