This project wouldn't exist without the brilliant support from National Lottery Players. Let's look at the top pledges from 2021!

WINNER: Brian in Queens Nympton

Brian was awarded by the Tarka Trust to create a pond/scraping to create habitat for reptiles. In particular, Brian hopes this will help local populations of the Common Toad as they increasingly threatened by climate change. Warmer temperatures and declining water quality threatens their spawning beds in the slack waters of the River Mole, a habitat seeing a greater loss over the summer months.

Brian is also a member of the Taw Valley Farmers Facilitation Group - group where members share ideas and best practice for farming with nature. Their land includes a beautiful wildflower meadow that is visited by a range of butterfly species and is home to beautiful orchids! 

Brian has also reported lots of kestrel sightings recently so is going to be putting up a nest box and hopefully have some kestrels nest there! Finally, Brian has also pledges to plant 150 aspen trees within pre-existing hedgerows to improve biodiversity, carbon sequestration and provide a home for various other species. A well-deserved winner! 

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COMMENDABLE PLEDGES 

Bradiford Bloomers

A lovely group of neighbours have come together as the Bradiford Bloomers and have reclaimed a community garden. They have planted bulbs, put up bird boxes, left a log pile, and created a trellis for climbers planted. Work only began in August of 2021, so all the team are really excited to see how the garden looks over the spring and summer months. We're looking forward to seeing more photos! 

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