Get Wild about Devon

BIOSPHERE ACTION WEEK - 25th September to 3rd October 2010

2010 is International Year of Biodiversity and people all over the world are taking action to help wildlife. North Devon’s Biosphere Reserve is looking for local community groups to get involved and help wildlife within the Reserve during Biosphere Action Week - 25th September to 3rd October 2010 - www.northdevonbiosphere.org.uk

The 'Get Wild about Devon' wildlife appreciation pilot scheme is for tourism businesses in Devon who are serious about proactively improving wildlife as part of their business operation. Get Wild about Devon provides businesses with a free wildlife audit, a unique wildlife report and observational map as well as online targeted marketing support including pdfs and inclusion on the Visit Devon website.

The objectives of the scheme are;

- To encourage tourism businesses to take an active interest in wildlife
- To assist tourism businesses to improve their local wildlife in Devon
- To stimulate care for the environment in Devon
- To attract and educate more visitors about the wildlife in Devon
- To make wildlife fun and interesting

How does the scheme work?

- Successful businesses have now been informed
- Businesses have attended a wildlife training day to maximise use of their audits and marketing materials
- Wildlife audits for each business are taking place between now and the Autumn
- Further to the audit there will be online marketing support in the form of generic pdf templates for each business to use as well as inclusion on the Visit Devon website ‘wildlife’ section
- There is a nominal fee of £40 for each business on the scheme

The scheme was open to all tourism businesses to apply, the selection criteria was based upon;

- A proven active interest in wildlife
- The commitment to be proactive with wildlife surrounding their business
- The potential benefits to visitors of that business

PLEASE NOTE THE ENTRY PROCESS FOR GET WILD ABOUT DEVON HAS NOW CLOSED.
If you need any more information about the scheme please email Rachel.Mildon@devon.gov.uk