Current Campaign

Thanks to a ‘Big Tree Plant’ from Defra and additional funding from the Alcoa Foundation, the Exeter Wild City Project will be planting more than 3,000 trees around Exeter. Many schools and community groups have already come forward with ideas of where to plant new trees. DWT would like to hear from other community groups over the next three years who have a patch of land in mind for tree planting. Contact Emily Stallworthy, DWT’s Terrestrial Conservation Officer, on contactus@devonwildlifetrust.org or 01392 279244

Exeter Wildlife Champions Network

As part of the Exeter Wild City project schools in the city have formed the Exeter Wildlife Champions Network. Find out more about this inspiring and innovative approach to learning.

Visit the Exeter Wildlife Champions Network webpage

Support us

There are many ways you can get involved

Do you work for a business in Exeter that might want to become a Corporate Supporter and help this project? Why not get in touch today?

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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 and gives 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?

We have links with a growing list of public, statutory, voluntary and community organisations including almost every school 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:

Exeter Swift Project
A project that saw a city wide survey of one of our most exciting birds and provided over 150 new nest-sites. DWT collaborated with Exeter City Council and the RSPB. Find out more.
Biodiversity mapping
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.
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.
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.
Natural learning
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.
Big Tree Plant
Exeter Wild City has received funding from Defra to plant over 3,000 trees around Exeter between 2012-15. This will be done in collaboration with schools, residents associations and communities across the city. Find out more.