After successfully securing funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund in December, Saving Devon’s Treescapes was able to start recruitment for a project leader in early 2020. In March, Rosie Cotgreave started the role and has been pushing the project forward despite constraints from COVID-19.
COVID-19 has meant that some of our community events have been postponed, and sadly Devon County show – the first big event for Saving Devon’s Treescapes – has been cancelled.
However, plenty of work has been able to progress. One of Rosie’s priorities has been to develop a Community Tree Nursery at Meeth Quarry Nature Reserve. This nursery will grow and nurture 5000 free trees per annum which can later be planted by communities across Devon. Construction will be happening in the coming months with opportunities for volunteers available in late Summer/Autumn.
Saving Devon’s Treescapes is also developing citizen science projects to record and monitor the locations and health of veteran and ancient trees across Devon. The project will also monitor key species such as brown hairstreak butterflies and lichens to help gain a deeper understanding of Devon’s Treescapes. This information will be invaluable in understanding the impacts of ash dieback across the country.
The Free Tree Scheme will also be running through Autumn and Winter for communities to plant trees within their local areas. Please contact Rosie on rcotgreave@devonwildlifetrust.org if you think your community would like to be involved.
All updates and opportunities will be added to the Saving Devon’s Treescapes website.