http://www.devonwildlifetrust.org/ Devon Wildlife News Feed, latest 20 items Wed, 16 May 2012 17:32:37 +0000 en http://www.devonwildlifetrust.org/view-news/2012/05/08/Working+Wetlands+project+passes+major+milestone/ http://www.devonwildlifetrust.org/view-news/2012/05/08/Working+Wetlands+project+passes+major+milestone/ Tue, 08 May 2012 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.devonwildlifetrust.org/view-news/2012/05/03/Buckfastleigh+goes+batty+for+bats/ http://www.devonwildlifetrust.org/view-news/2012/05/03/Buckfastleigh+goes+batty+for+bats/ Thu, 03 May 2012 00:00:00 +0000
The William Pengelly Cave Studies Trust (WPCST), Devon Wildlife Trust, Dartmoor National Park and the Devon Bat Group are joining forces to run the bat activity day on Saturday 19 May which will be held at the WPCST Centre, Russets Lane, Buckfastleigh.

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The William Pengelly Cave Studies Trust (WPCST), Devon Wildlife Trust, Dartmoor National Park and the Devon Bat Group are joining forces to run the bat activity day on Saturday 19 May which will be held at the WPCST Centre, Russets Lane, Buckfastleigh.

The event is aimed at families and individuals with an interest in bats, local geology and the caves. It will run from 10am until 3pm. Activities will include bat box making, bug box making, guided walks of the quarry and Joint Mitnor cave, bat arts & crafts and the chance to see some live bats.

Jackie Gage Devon Wildlife Trust’s nature reserve officer said “This should be a great event for local people to learn more about these amazing flying mammals that live and breed on our doorstep. Buckfastleigh is known to be one of the best places in the country for the rare greater-horseshoe bat which has declined over the past few decades due to habitat loss and changes in farming practices. Please do come along, there will be plenty to see and do for all the family!”

Light refreshments will be available. There’s no charge for the event.

Due to limited spaces, booking is essential. To book a place on one of the tours, call Devon Wildlife Trust on 01392 279244 or email contactus@devonwildlifetrust.org]]> http://www.devonwildlifetrust.org/view-news/2012/05/02/+National+Mills+Weekend+sees+special+Exeter+event/ http://www.devonwildlifetrust.org/view-news/2012/05/02/+National+Mills+Weekend+sees+special+Exeter+event/ Wed, 02 May 2012 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.devonwildlifetrust.org/view-news/2012/04/26/Children+help+improve+City+Centre+cemetery/ http://www.devonwildlifetrust.org/view-news/2012/04/26/Children+help+improve+City+Centre+cemetery/ Thu, 26 Apr 2012 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.devonwildlifetrust.org/view-news/2012/04/23/How+important+are+healthy+rivers'3F+-+Wildlife+Charity+begins+exciting+new+river+project/ http://www.devonwildlifetrust.org/view-news/2012/04/23/How+important+are+healthy+rivers'3F+-+Wildlife+Charity+begins+exciting+new+river+project/ Mon, 23 Apr 2012 00:00:00 +0000
The pilot project begins its work in East Devon focussing on the river Otter and its tributaries. Over the next twelve months it will assess the overall health of the river system and help to coordinate existing and develop new conservation projects and activities there.

The objectives are centred on the European[...]]]>
The pilot project begins its work in East Devon focussing on the river Otter and its tributaries. Over the next twelve months it will assess the overall health of the river system and help to coordinate existing and develop new conservation projects and activities there.

The objectives are centred on the European Water Framework Directive which aims to enhance and maintain the ecological status of water bodies throughout the Union. Catchments across Europe have been studied and assessed on a range of criteria including water quality, the amounts and range of wildlife present and human impacts with the target of getting all water bodies up to a good standard by 2015.

Scott West from Devon Wildlife Trust who is spearheading the project said: “Rivers are very much the heart of the Water Framework Directive and if we can improve this treasured environment there are many positive knock-on benefits to other habitats and wildlife. This exciting new initiative aims to bring together existing work within the Otter catchment, so we are keen to hear from other organisations, local people or interested parties who may have something to offer in support.”

Devon Wildlife Trust has already spoken with organisations such as the Westcountry Rivers Trust, Tale Valley Trust, South West Water, FWAG and local landowners, but it expects many more to get involved over coming months.

For the first few months of the project the priority will be to work out what conservation work is already happening and from this work out priorities for future action on the ground. One of the key areas will be to look at barriers to fish passage throughout the river as well as excessive nutrient input.

Scott added: “ Considering current drought conditions, the health of our rivers is even more important at this time. Well functioning river systems are vital both for people and wildlife. The work we will be doing over the coming months will help create a robust and sustainable catchment able to cope with future weather extremes and pressures.”

Dave Trewolla, managing the project for the Environment Agency, said: “Whilst the Environment Agency is the Competent Authority for seeing that the Water Framework Directive is delivered, it will be down to all of us to actually make things happen on the ground. Partnerships such as this are an exciting opportunity to work together and will be crucial if we are to achieve the aims of the WFD and secure the environmental outcomes necessary to protect and enhance our water environment.”


For more information about the project and to get involved contact Scott on 01392 279244.

]]> http://www.devonwildlifetrust.org/view-news/2012/04/16/Nick+Baker+to+open+Wildlife+Festival/ http://www.devonwildlifetrust.org/view-news/2012/04/16/Nick+Baker+to+open+Wildlife+Festival/ Mon, 16 Apr 2012 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.devonwildlifetrust.org/view-news/2012/04/04/Charity+seeks+keen+walkers+to+raise+money+for+wildlife+/ http://www.devonwildlifetrust.org/view-news/2012/04/04/Charity+seeks+keen+walkers+to+raise+money+for+wildlife+/ Wed, 04 Apr 2012 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.devonwildlifetrust.org/view-news/2012/04/04/World+of+Difference+placement/ http://www.devonwildlifetrust.org/view-news/2012/04/04/World+of+Difference+placement/ Wed, 04 Apr 2012 00:00:00 +0000
Tracey told DWT: ‘I feel truly lucky to be able to join the hard working, committed individuals at Devon Wildlife Trust who work [...]]]>
Tracey told DWT: ‘I feel truly lucky to be able to join the hard working, committed individuals at Devon Wildlife Trust who work collectively with a shared vision to ensure that the people lucky enough to live in this beautiful county use the natural systems around them responsibly.’ Read Tracey's blog.

Devon Biodiversity Record Centre was also selected to host a Vodafone placement, Jonathan Wright, who will be helping with their essential data recording work. Read Jonathan's blog.

Find out more on http://worldofdifference.vodafone.co.uk]]> http://www.devonwildlifetrust.org/view-news/2012/04/04/Funding+support+for+DWT'27s+50th+Anniversary+year/ http://www.devonwildlifetrust.org/view-news/2012/04/04/Funding+support+for+DWT'27s+50th+Anniversary+year/ Wed, 04 Apr 2012 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.devonwildlifetrust.org/view-news/2012/04/03/Wildlife+charity+teams+up+with+filmmakers+for+new+course/ http://www.devonwildlifetrust.org/view-news/2012/04/03/Wildlife+charity+teams+up+with+filmmakers+for+new+course/ Tue, 03 Apr 2012 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.devonwildlifetrust.org/view-news/2012/04/02/Marine+centre+gets+set+for+a+new+season/ http://www.devonwildlifetrust.org/view-news/2012/04/02/Marine+centre+gets+set+for+a+new+season/ Mon, 02 Apr 2012 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.devonwildlifetrust.org/view-news/2012/03/28/Wildlife+Festival+marks+a+golden+year+for+charity/ http://www.devonwildlifetrust.org/view-news/2012/03/28/Wildlife+Festival+marks+a+golden+year+for+charity/ Wed, 28 Mar 2012 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.devonwildlifetrust.org/view-news/2012/03/23/Harry+Barton'27s+response+to+the+Habitats+and+Birds+Directives+review/ http://www.devonwildlifetrust.org/view-news/2012/03/23/Harry+Barton'27s+response+to+the+Habitats+and+Birds+Directives+review/ Fri, 23 Mar 2012 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.devonwildlifetrust.org/view-news/2012/03/22/Working+Wetlands+project+provides+advice+pack+for+local+landowners/ http://www.devonwildlifetrust.org/view-news/2012/03/22/Working+Wetlands+project+provides+advice+pack+for+local+landowners/ Thu, 22 Mar 2012 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.devonwildlifetrust.org/view-news/2012/03/16/Chancellor'2C+a+healthy+economy+needs+a+healthy+environment/ http://www.devonwildlifetrust.org/view-news/2012/03/16/Chancellor'2C+a+healthy+economy+needs+a+healthy+environment/ Fri, 16 Mar 2012 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.devonwildlifetrust.org/view-news/2012/03/14/Charity+asks+local+wildlife+lovers+to+get+on+their+bike+for+nature/ http://www.devonwildlifetrust.org/view-news/2012/03/14/Charity+asks+local+wildlife+lovers+to+get+on+their+bike+for+nature/ Wed, 14 Mar 2012 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.devonwildlifetrust.org/view-news/2012/02/27/Northern+Devon+wins+competition+to+become+one+of+the+country'E2'80'99s+first+Nature+Improvement+Areas/ http://www.devonwildlifetrust.org/view-news/2012/02/27/Northern+Devon+wins+competition+to+become+one+of+the+country'E2'80'99s+first+Nature+Improvement+Areas/ Mon, 27 Feb 2012 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.devonwildlifetrust.org/view-news/2012/02/20/Charity+helpdesk+to+accept+call+of+the+wild/ http://www.devonwildlifetrust.org/view-news/2012/02/20/Charity+helpdesk+to+accept+call+of+the+wild/ Mon, 20 Feb 2012 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.devonwildlifetrust.org/view-news/2012/02/16/Action+needed+now+for+wildlife+sites/ http://www.devonwildlifetrust.org/view-news/2012/02/16/Action+needed+now+for+wildlife+sites/ Thu, 16 Feb 2012 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.devonwildlifetrust.org/view-news/2012/02/06/Schools+partner+with+local+wildlife+charity/ http://www.devonwildlifetrust.org/view-news/2012/02/06/Schools+partner+with+local+wildlife+charity/ Mon, 06 Feb 2012 00:00:00 +0000