South Devon Nature Trust
A passion for creating & conserving natural habitats for wildlife and promoting outdoor education in schools
South Devon Nature Trust is a small charity founded in 2011 by Jane and Roger Davenport who have lived in the South Hams since 1998.
The Trust has two primary objectives:
To assist landowners in making improvements to the natural environment, creating a network of wildlife friendly habitats across South Devon
To inspire children through supporting Outdoor Education in local schools
As a small charity with limited resources and no employees we deliver these objectives through specialist conservation contractors to provide both advisory and practical support on the ground.
We work in close partnership with other organisations, and in particular with Devon Wildlife Trust
WILDLIFE HABITAT CREATION AND RESTORATION
- Advice and practical support for landowners and community organisations committed to restoring wildlife habitats
- Creating and managing native meadows and wetlands
- Planting and restoring native trees and hedges
- Woodland management, tree surveys and tree surgery
- Wildlife surveys. e.g. for birds, butterflies, bats and dormice etc.
- Guiding volunteer groups in delivering practical conservation work
- Invasive plant control
- Practical workshops and advice on creating and siting wildlife homes e.g. boxes for bats, birds, dormice and hedgehogs
- Advising, designing and constructing larger natural timber structures e.g. bird hides, bat roosts and pond platforms
OUTDOOR EDUCATION
- Advice to schools on developing school grounds and infrastructure for the delivery of wilder learning
- Designing and creating outdoor learning areas e.g. Forest School shelters, all season classrooms, fire pits and quiet spaces
- Creating school outdoor exercise facilities from natural materials
- Designing and creating wildlife habitats, including ponds, hibernaculae and wild areas
- Delivering wildlife workshops for schoolchildren including practical sessions on building bird, bat and hedgehog boxes and bug hotels
PROJECTS
Some of our current and future projects
- Avon Valley Project – Assisting Devon Wildlife Trust in restoring native meadows along the Avon Valley
- Wilder Learning Project – Supporting Devon Wildlife Trust to deliver the project through infrastructure creation and school workshops
- Invasive Species Control Project – Bringing together community groups and volunteer organisations through training and practical support in the removal and control of invasive plant species throughout South Devon
WORKING PARTNERSHIPS
Contacts:
Tim Wilkins – Contract Conservation Consultant
Email: tim.sdnt@gmail.com
Tel: 07429 359240
Roger Davenport – Chair
Email: jrdavenport.sdnt@gmail.com