Welcome to our
The knowledge base will help to provide you with information to complete your pledge or take an action for nature. We have included many links to conservation organisations across Devon who are already hard at work and are a great source of inspiration, guidance and related events.
Seasonal Activities
Create a bug haven
Insects pollinate three quarters of our food crops, as well as being the main food source for many birds, small mammals and fish. And yet, 41% of insects face extinction, let’s help them out!
Give your hedge a few inches
Leave a stretch of hedge, however long or small, uncut for a year or two, and be rewarded by more flowers and berries for pollinators and birds. Or, if you are a farmer or contractor, simply raise the height of your flail by 10-15cm for the same effect. Wildlife will thank you and the hedge will remain thick, bushy and manageable. Try it and see!
Let a corner go wild
A wild patch in your garden, farm or business area can be crucial for wildlife. A bramble patch may have a blackbird or wren nesting. A pile of logs or stones could provide a refuge for slow worms or lizards. Having a wild patch can give creatures a place to relax without human disturbance.
Help for hedgehogs
Hedgehogs need our help! There are 3 things that you can do to help hedgehogs in your area: Survey, Take Action and Become a Hedgehog Champion! Can you pledge to create a hedgehog friendly area in your garden or farm by creating a log pile or compost heap, or making a hedgehog home or highway.
Garden for insects
Pledge here to join the Devon Wildlife Trust’s Action for Insect campaign. Can you reduce pesticide use and make your garden more wildlife friendly? Devon Wildlife Trust will be providing useful tool kits for individuals, communities and primary schools to find out what you can do to help insects. Photo credit: Nick Withers
Orchard
Fruit trees and orchards provide a benefit to wildlife including pollinators such as bees, and birds such as fieldfares will eat windfall apples and fruit.
No Mow May
Pretty simple this one - put your lawn mower away this May and see your lawn come alive!
School Activity
Nature-related activities, resources and worksheets for teachers. Download our Pledge for Nature leaf template and ask your students to write what action they will take for nature. These leaves could then be tied to a branch in your classroom to make a Pledge Tree!
Plant a native tree
The best time of year to plant trees is between November-March (Woodland Trust). Trees are vital for life on earth, harbour a high amount of wildlife, and can make a real difference in solving the Climate Emergency. Explore here for advice, guidance and grants for planting the right trees in the right places.
Community Groups
There are already some fantastic groups set up by communities in response to the climate and ecological emergency. Please let us know if you are aware of any other groups in your area.
- Regen Braunton : Thinking globally and acting locally, we are meeting monthly to initiate and grow regenerative projects for the villages of Braunton and Knowle and the surrounding area.
- Barnstaple & District DWT Local Group, Uppacott team
- Sustainable Chulmleigh : We are a group of residents in and around Chulmleigh who care deeply about the environment in which we live and want to ensure its future for generations to come.
- Hatherleigh Environmental Forum : A new group set up, find them through the Hatherleigh Building Community Facebook page
- Merton and Huish Wildlife Group: Interesting talks, walks and activities related to wildlife and the environment.
- Winkleigh Environment group: A facebook group that exists to promote activities to combat climate change and biodiversity loss.
- Winkleigh Biodivesity Group : Winkleigh Community Action is a page to promote improvements to aspects of community life which are important to residents of this area. Its focus is on the natural environment and its benefits for local people
- Ashreigney and Riddlecombe Nature Recovery Group :This group meets at a variety of locations to explore their surrounding natural environment.
- Landkey Hedgehog Group: The group meet monthly. The group is committed to inform, support and create habitat for hedgehogs throughout the village.
What is a seasonal pledge?
Each season we will announce new calls-to-action that are aimed at tackling North Devon’s nature priorities. These seasonal activities have been decided by consulting with our conservation partners and local experts to decide on the key actions that will help nature to recover. The current seasonal activities are at the top of this Knowledge Base page.
How do I show my pledge has been completed?
Join our Pledge for Nature Facebook group or post your photos on Twitter or Instagram and tag #pledgefornature to share your photos of your completed pledges!
We'd love to see what you have been up to and if you can encourage your friends and family to pledge as well that's great!
Can I pledge to do a different season's activities?
Yes if you are pledging to complete an action for nature that isn't on the current pledge form please just select the 'other' option and fill in the description to let us know what pledge you are making.
Contact
Devon County Council Offices
Taw View, North Walk
Barnstaple
Devon
EX31 1EE
01271 388647
