Avon Valley Project
Restoring and re-connecting precious wildlife habitat in the Avon Valley and neighbouring catchments across South Devon
15 years ago, the picturesque Avon Valley supported less wildlife than it did in the past, largely because of changes in the way farmland and woodland was managed. The loss of good wildlife habitat makes it more difficult for species to move around the landscape. The Avon Valley project aims to restore and re-connect this precious wildlife habitat.
Why this area needs protecting
Three DWT natures reserves are situated in the Avon Valley – Lady’s Wood, Andrew’s Wood and South Efford Marsh.
The reserves are home to a variety of endangered species - from hazel dormice and greater horsehoe bats, to plants such as health lobelia. Due to the fragmented habitat in this landscape, building 'wildlife corridors' of suitable habitat is crucial for endangered wildlife populations to restore, as it allows them to safely move, find food, and breed. Creating these wildlife-rich corridors is what this project is all about.
Russell Savory
Devon Wildlife Trust
Mike Symes
Russell Savory
Amy Lewis
Working with the landowning community
The Avon Valley Project works with landowners to make land richer in wildlife, primarily through restoring wildflower-rich grasslands, improve woodlands for wildlife and enhance water quality in the Avon, Erme and Yealm catchments.
Between 2011-2025, the project has visited more than 350 landowners, influencing wildlife habitat of 4,500 hectares and covering approximately 20% of the whole Avon Valley!
Thinking about enhancing your land for wildlife and making space for nature?
We run drop-in land management advice sessions throughout year - any upcoming dates will be listed below. If you can't make it to any of these, feel free to get in touch with Lynne (Land Management Advisory Officer) directly on lkenderdine@devonwildlifetrust.org for advice and guidance.
With Lynne’s ongoing help and support, our knowledge of wildlife has grown and in doing so has inspired us to develop our ideas into a much larger and more extensive project. Through her helpful advice we quickly learnt that not all nasty plants are invasive, and that what I considered were weeds are often 'plants in the wrong place' that can actually offer great wildlife benefit and help in your project, land or garden.Approached us for advice on creating a wildflower meadow on a small patch of land next to their home
What we've achieved together so far
In 2021, we celebrated 10 years of the Avon Valley project! A long, landscape-based conservation project such as this has huge benefits for wildlife. Find out more by visiting the anniversary page and watching the video below.
The Avon Valley project began in 2011 and has had many incredible successes over the last 10 years. Read the brochure to find out more...
Support our work
This project is made possible thanks to Devon Wildlife Trust members - people who care about the future of Devon’s wildlife and wild places.
If you are a trust or foundation, local business, or philanthropic supporter and would like to support this project, we would be delighted to hear from you. Please get in touch with Hannah at hbest@devonwildlifetrust.org.