Devon Wildlife Trust – Nature Reserves

Protecting wildlife and wild places across the county

Devon Wildlife Trust was established as a charity in 1962 and is part of the national network that cares for over 2,000 nature reserves.  The Devon Wildlife Trust looks after 40 nature reserves, 27 of which are designated Sites of Special Scientific Interest because of their high nature conservation value.

Nature reserves are not left to nature! To keep them in the best possible condition for plants and animals, sites are actively managed by DWT’s staff with the help of an army of volunteers. Regular management tasks include scrub clearance, grazing by local breeds such as Exmoor ponies and swailing (burning).  DWT’s reserves are for people too and paths, gates and information signs all help to make the reserves accessible to as many people as possible. 

Some examples of the Trust’s reserves are:
•    Dart Valley near Newbridge, Dartmoor – dramatic upland moor with an atmospheric steep wooded river valley
•    Bystock near Exmouth – healthland, grassland, woodland and a small reservoir, an excellent place to spot butterflies, dragonflies and birds
•    Dunsdon near Holsworthy – one of the best examples of Culm grassland in the country with spectacular and rare wildlife
•    Warleigh Point, Plymouth – overlooking the Tamar/Tavy estuary, one of the finest examples of coastal oak woodlands in Devon
•    Dawlish Warren – sand dunes, mud-flats and dune grasslands, internationally important for wildfowl and waders

Devon’s beautiful coast, countryside and diverse wildlife face many challenges in the 21st Century.  Tourism is a doubled edged sword in this respect as the millions of visitors that come to enjoy the county’s natural beauty can also be one of its greatest threats. By working together and supporting careful management, tourism businesses can take steps to ensuring that their contribution is a positive one.

Give your customers the opportunity to support the Devon Wildlife Trust’s network of nature reserves and you will be engaging them in the future protection of the very habitats they come to enjoy.

Visitors may also welcome the opportunity to join as members of the Devon Wildlife Trust – maintaining that special bond throughout the years to come.

www.devonwildlifetrust.org
01392 279244