Theme 1 - Building on existing voluntary action
Exminster Greenspaces Group have continued to progress a number or projects
- Orchard maintenance
- Tree and bulb planting options – to include cherry trees planned for Deepway Green and discussion with Teign Housing on planting at Townfield.
- Tree Nursery application to Devon Wildlife Trust successful and kit received.
- Agreement for harvesting and replanting of wild primroses – arranged to plant some at Pottles Court on 21 Sept.
- Barn Owl Box purchased through donations and installed in oak at Crockwells Meadow
- Social media posts continue and Village Greenspaces Walk arranged for 25 Sept.
- Group has undertaken to commit to work on a pesticide free basis.
ACT wildlife Warden – It is with great sadness that in September we learnt of the death of Peter Chandler who had taken up this role. We will continue to keep in touch with the ACT co-ordinator about future arrangements and invite comment and input into the project.
Exminster Parish Council – liaison ongoing as regards sympathetic grass management – one side of Crockwells Meadow in particular subject to access path mowing only, Agreed staking and retention of self seeded oak in Crockwells Meadow.
Theme 2 - Individual household engagement
Promotion of Devon Wildlife Trust’s, Wildlife Gardening Award, through social media, the village magazine, posters and networking.
- At the start of June , DWT had awarded some 15 awards to garden areas within the Exminster Postcode area with more in the pipeline.
- Exminster is in the lead on applications across the county – including Exeter and Plymouth. Update on application numbers sought. Planning to step back from promotion over winter but return with Spring Campaign.
- Households have been targeted through social media in supporting the nationally based ‘blue’ Campaign and ‘No Mow May’.
An introduction to ‘Nature on our Doorstep’ is in place on the EPC website.
Updates have been made off line and a refreshed note will be published this calendar year – including an analysis of the results for Exminster for this years ‘Big Butterfly Count.
The biodiversity page also includes content on supporting hedgehogs, grasses and improving Garden biodiversity.
Theme 3 - Partnership working
These are the partners and supporters that have come on board so far:
Hosts the Environment Working Group and Greenspaces volunteers – making Parish Council owned greenspaces available for positive management including Crockwells Meadow, the village orchard and Wilderness.
Championing outdoor learning, development of nature garden area, Eco Team working on environmental projects.
Manages the Internationally designated sites including Exminster and Powderham Marshes. Manages Lot 9 area off Reddaway Drive for nature including a focus on Cirl Bunting.
Sympathetic Management of grounds including mature and younger trees. Areas left unmown over summer and wildlife pond.
Action for Climate Change in Teignbridge, hosts and supports a network of community based Wildlife Wardens across Teignbridge.
St Martin of Tours Parish Church, registered as an ‘Eco Church’ and working with TDC and others to develop a nature plan for the management of the churchyard.
Through its Greenspace Team, managing the Ridgetop Park on the outskirts of Exminster – providing new opportunities for people to enjoy and access the natural environment.
Sympathetic management of greenspace around the school buildings, plans to develop nature area, Grass areas left unmown, bug hotels and bird/bat boxes installed.
Development of a Community allotment and wildlife garden area, plans to include pond, wildflowers and other features.
Volunteer working party of the Parish Council working on a variety of projects around the village to enhance greenspace for people and nature – including village orchard, tree and bulb planting.
Housing association managing properties in Exminster – working in partnership with Exminster Greenspaces team to new and potential tree planting projects.
The Wilder Communities team supported project development and delivers the wildlife gardening award scheme in Exminster. The Saving Devon Treescapes team contributed a Landmark Tree and Tree Nursery kit to our project.