The days are getting longer and the weather seems to be improving. The team are continuing to be busy with public engagement in the Little Dart catchment, meeting interested members of the public and landowners to explain the project and new monitors which are being installed in the catchment.  Pledge for Nature is busy processing awards for local groups, individuals and landowners who are improving the environment for nature.   

The North  Devon Explorer web app, continues to provide a useful tool for all to use, inspiring  us to find new places to go and highlighting the sustainable businesses  who are part of the Biosphere Business Partners Scheme throughout our area.  

Are you working on the North Devon Coast? Interacting with Marine Wildlife? We all have a part to play in protecting our marine and coastal life. Join our North Devon Marine Wildlife Aware Accreditation Scheme, which is open to businesses & individual operators.

Green Economy Group News

There are a number of events running over the next few months which could be useful for local businesses interested in the Green Economy.

Monday 13th March 2023 09.30-12.30 Decarbonisation

Sustainability - What does that actually mean? Find out what the Sustainable Development Goals are and how to use them as a valuable tool. Learn to understand a simple cash positive roadmap to Net Zero. Find out what happens to residual carbon, insetting vs offsetting and retrofitting and adding on site renewables.

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/decarbonisation-masterclass-tickets-551516670207

16th March: South West Business Expo, Westpoint, Exeter 

South West Business Expo 2023 | 1 day business show UK

30th March: Green Breakfast at Kingsley School, Bideford

Green Breakfast Networking - Mar 30, 2023 - Devon & Plymouth Chamber of Commerce (devonchamber.co.uk)

April: Petroc - date and times to be confirmed. Big Benefits for small Businesses, focusing on businesses that would like help, and funded support to produce their carbon footprint & net zero plan/roadmap

Big Benefits for Small Businesses - Petroc College

April: Exeter - details to be confirmed Foot Ansty Solicitors event for Landlords and Property Developers to encourage decarbonising the housing stock and retro-fitting older properties. More information to follow.

Do you run a business based in the tourism, hospitality and leisure sector? In conjunction with Torridge District Council, our Nature Tourism Officer, Sarah Jordan, has been running events to help support businesses in showcasing the natural assets and adventure activities across our Biosphere. A range of free resources has also been created to help you extend your season, understand the wildlife and experiences that our area has to offer, and to bring new/targeted customer groups to your business. To gain access to these free resources and be kept up to date with news and future events, sign up to the Torridge District Council Nature Tourism mailing list below

As part of the International day for Biosphere Reserves (3^rd November) celebrations we had a chance to visit Appledore Primary school and their School Micro Reserve, a Biosphere Reserve within their School. We had the pleasure of meeting staff and students who spoke enthusiastically about their Reserve as well the work they are doing to incorporate the Biosphere into their school curriculum. The Eco Ranger team are currently working on redeveloping their pond in school with funding from the Nature Recovery Challenge Fund. Applications are open until the 30^th March. Apply here:

https://www.biosphere.org.uk/seasonal-activities/make-a-nature-plan

and how the community can get involved with Nature recovery.Mark highlighted the importance of the role that planners, builders and property owners play in helping create space for nesting Swifts. The Ashreigney and Riddlecombe Nature Recovery Group are determined to attract this magnificent bird to their Parish through the installation of Swift Boxes using funds from the Community Nature Recovery Challenge Fund.

Do you fancy making your own nest box ? For ideas and advice have a look on the Pledge for Nature Knowledge base: https://www.biosphere.org.uk/sseasonal-activities/install-a-bird-box...

The volunteers learnt the skills needed to monitor river water quality. Jack and Perry expertly presented the theory behind the CSI and engaged with volunteers in great discussions on the challenges faced with river water quality. Following refreshments, courtesy of The Plough Arts Centre and the Fox and Hounds Country Hotel, we stepped outside and familiarised ourselves with the testing kits and how to use them in the field.

The day was well documented by film crew (Gemma, Emmeline and Adam) who captured our magnificent models (volunteers) in action!

One theme that ran through the day was people’s passion for looking after their local rivers and the importance of the role of volunteers in gathering the data needed to gain a better understanding of rivers.

Are you interested in becoming a citizen scientist to monitor water quality in your local river? You can find out more by visiting:

https://wrt.org.uk/westcountry-csi/

Over the past 5 months the Free Trees Combe Martin project has given out  12,000 trees were across the community in the Combe Martin area. Trees planted to create new woodlands, connecting existing woodlands, creating small copses, gapping-up and planting new hedges, creating windbreaks, planting buffer strips, shelter belts, planting alongside rivers to assist natures recovery and improving water quality, to name a few! The project has been a huge success and a great opportunity to engage with the landowners of Combe Martin.

What is the DRIP  Project?

An exciting pilot project local to the Little Dart  River catchment, designed for flood risk management and water quality benefits offering:

· Historic catch/water meadow restoration advice

· 100% funding for catch/water meadow restoration

· Future management advice towards productive meadow reinstatement using livestock for wider meadow biodiversity value

· Advice on future management payment schemes.

Landowner Benefits

• You will be helping to reduce flood risk to communities downstream and also assisting nature recovery programmes

• Access to free 1-1 advice and support towards catch / water meadow restoration measures
• To help protect our rural communities and way of life through diverse funding streams.

This project supports preceding work in the catchment consisting of the installation of soil (moisture and chemistry) sensors and rain gauges, to monitor how the catchment currently functions.

For more information, please contact:

Sophia Craddock Tel. 01271 388495 

Email.sophia.j.craddock@devon.gov.uk

OR

Phil Metcalfe Tel. 01392 388537

Email. phil.metcalfe@devon.gov.uk

Funded by Devon County Council’s DRIP “Devon Resilience Innovation Programme”

DCC DRIP website: https://www.devon.gov.uk/floodriskmanagement/flood-and-coastal-resilience-innovation-programme-fcrip/

The above event is for land owners in the area covered below.

Want to join us as a Biosphere Business Partner?

Our Biosphere Business Partner Eco-Accreditation Scheme now has over 100  businesses fully accredited as North Devon Biosphere Business Partners! This eco-accreditation scheme provides the opportunity for businesses to share that they are proud to be part of our world class area, by being part of a sustainable business network that looks after the very assets that attract 80% of visitors, as well as each other.

Feel free to contact our Biosphere Business Partner Coordinator, Sarah Jordan, if you have any questions: sarah.jordan@devon.gov.uk

Friday 10th March DRIP Community consultation 10.00 -3.00 East Worlington Parish Hall see article above DRIP drop-in session

Monday 13th March 2023 09.30-12.30 Decarbonisation

Sustainability - What does that actually mean?  Find out what the Sustainable Development Goals are and how to use them as a valuable tool. Learn to understand a simple cash positive roadmap to Net Zero. Find out what happens to residual carbon, insetting vs offsetting and retrofitting and adding on site renewables.

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/decarbonisation-masterclass-tickets-551516670207

Thursday 16th March South West Business Expo Westpoint Exeter see website for details

Saturday 18th March from 10.00am Mothers Day Plant potting Braunton Countryside Centre cost £5.00 per child (children must be supervised by an adult) see website for details, no booking required, first come first serve on plants we have available.

Wednesday 22nd March 10.00 -2.00pm CRITTER Soil Health Day - Braunton Countryside Centre  See above article

Wednesday 22nd March 7.00pm Nature Readings to Listen and Enjoy Braunton Countryside Centre £4.00 book tickets through the website link

Thursday 23rd March 11.00-1.30pm Sustainable Seaweed Foraging organised by Braunton Countryside Centre. Join a local foraging expert Adam Reeve for a foraging walk. see Countryside centre website for more information.

Thursday 30th March Green Breakfast Networking at Venn Vineyard Devon & Plymouth Chambers for more details.  

Saturday 1st April 10.00-2.00pm Community seed & Plant swap Braunton Countryside Centre

Wednesday 5th April 1.00-3.00pm Adaptation in Animals - Children's Workshop Braunton Countryside Centre £15 per child more details on website

Tuesday 11th April 10.30-12.30am Fun with fossils - Braunton Countryside Centre  £8.00 per child more details on website

Thursday 13th April 1.00pm Bee Walk - Braunton Countryside Centre £3 booking not required

Saturday 15th April 2.00pm Family Friendly Nature connection walk  - Braunton countryside Centre £4 per person. Booking Required

Sunday 16th April 2.30pm Spring Flower Woodland Walk organised by Braunton Countryside Centre, meeting at Croyde Village Hall £4 per person details on website.

Please get in touch if you are interested in any of our projects or would like to get involved with our biosphere. 

North Devon UNESCO Biosphere Team