January 2024 – December 2025
Executive Summary
This report communicates how Devon County Council has complied with the ‘biodiversity duty’ between the 1st January 2024 and the 31st December 2025.
Our Strategic Plan for 2025 – 2029 includes our commitment to “work in partnership to protect Devon’s natural environment; including water, soil, and biodiversity”. It includes specific goals to support biodiversity on land we own and influence, together with partnership working and biodiversity net gain.
Over the last two years our activities for biodiversity have mushroomed to include leading on the Devon Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS) and implement Biodiversity Net Gain. By December 2025, public engagement on the draft Devon LNRS had been completed. A brand new LNRS website and Viewer, with interactive biodiversity delivery maps, have been launched. We are looking forward to the strategy being published by summer 2026.
With the introduction of statutory Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) in April 2024, we have led the way on training and developing guidance for the diverse parties involved in the planning system in Devon. We have facilitated the development of biodiversity Habitat Banks in Devon and an increasing number of these are registered with Natural England. For the Biodiversity Gain Plans we have approved for DCC, these have achieved an average 14% habitat unit net gain and 22% overall unit net gain.
We have actively supported our National Landscapes, UNESCO Biosphere, estuary partnerships and nature initiatives, enabling landscape-scale recovery.
A significant partnership achievement has been the publication of the Devon Tree and Woodland Strategy. Through the strategy countywide tree planting has taken place, delivering tens of thousands of new trees annually through multiple funding schemes, including the Treescapes Fund and Saving Devon’s Treescapes. On our own land we have planted over 20,000 trees at Brook Wood.
Our Stover Country Park Restoration Project has resulted in significant habitat restoration, including woodland management and removal of 14,000 m³ of silt from Stover Lake to improve ecological condition. The project has also facilitated engagement of many volunteers from the community and young people. Extensive wildlife education programmes have continued at our Grand Western Canal and Stover Country Parks, engaging thousands of children and adults.
The changes we have trialled to our street lighting across the County have made this much more friendly for nocturnal wildlife.
We have delivered extensive biodiversity-related staff training and guidance, including biodiversity net gain, beaver awareness, bats, planning guidance, and more has taken place.
Creation of wetland, riparian and diverse habitats has been taking place at Natural Flood Management pilot areas, with monitoring of ecological benefits in progress.
A) Introduction
All local authorities must publish a report on how they have complied with the biodiversity duty set out in the Environment Act 2021.
The biodiversity duty means that we must:
- Consider what we can do to conserve and enhance biodiversity.
- Agree policies and specific objectives.
- Act to deliver our policies and achieve our objectives.
This report documents the policies and actions that Devon County Council have carried out between the 1st of January 2024 through to 31st December 2025 to protect, restore and enhance our exceptional biodiversity.
B) Biodiversity policies and objectives
B.1 DCC Strategic Plan 2025 – 2029
Our strategic plan spans four years and sets out our vision, values, and operating principles. Strategic priorities, commitments and goals are set out.
The plan is framed under six strategic priorities, including ‘A green Devon for future generations.’ There are six commitments under this heading, the most relevant to this report being:
Commitment: Work in partnership to protect Devon’s natural environment; including water, soil, and biodiversity.
Goal – Protect and restore Devon’s natural environment.
We will:
- Work with statutory partners to improve water quality and hold polluters to account.
- Support biodiversity through land management, planning, and promote regenerative practices on Devon County Council-owned farms and through tenant partnerships.
- In partnership develop and then deliver against the Devon local nature recovery strategy, giving information to enhance the planning system, including the delivery of Biodiversity Net Gain requirements, and investment in our urban green spaces.
Commitment: Work in partnership to protect Devon’s natural environment; including water, soil, and biodiversity.
Goal – Protect and restore Devon’s natural environment.
We will:
- Work with statutory partners to improve water quality and hold polluters to account.
- Support biodiversity through land management, planning, and promote regenerative practices on Devon County Council-owned farms and through tenant partnerships.
- In partnership develop and then deliver against the Devon local nature recovery strategy, giving information to enhance the planning system, including the delivery of Biodiversity Net Gain requirements, and investment in our urban green spaces.
B.2. Environmental Policy
Our Environmental Policy was adopted by Cabinet in June 2022. It summarises how DCC will continue to lead by example to minimise the impact of its own operations and its supply chain on the environment and encourage others to do the same.
In relation to Coast, Countryside and Heritage (encompassing biodiversity) it states:
Through its estate (including buildings, land assets and county farms), activities and its work with others:
• Conserve and enhance biodiversity, air quality, soils & minerals, freshwater resources and estuarine & coastal waters to achieve a net-gain for the environment and to restore natural processes to provide services such as carbon storage and flood mitigation.
• Conserve and enhance the natural beauty of landscapes and the quality and distinctiveness of built environment, cultural and historic interests.
• Plan positively to landscape changes arising from the climate & ecological emergency and socioeconomic pressures to help deliver sustainable development and land management.
• Reduce light pollution to reclaim dark skies by using modern technology, dimming and removing lighting through public consultation.
• Demonstrate new management practices.
And
Use its powers, responsibility and influence to:
• Facilitate greater understanding and appreciation of the county’s rich environment and improve access to it for recreation and learning.
• Help communities and individuals improve their awareness about how they can help Devon respond to the climate and ecological emergency and enable them to act.
• Help test emerging green finance and business models.
• Play its part in developing and delivering environment-related strategies and plans led by partner bodies.
B.3 Countryside, Coast & Heritage Strategy 2024
Objectives and actions to meet the biodiversity duty were published in our Countryside, Coast & Heritage Strategy 2024. It identifies opportunities to ensure that the Authority’s programmes, projects and services eliminate or at least mitigate adverse impacts on key environmental issues (such as wildlife, landscape and historic assets), reduce legislative and reputational risk for the authority and demonstrate community leadership on issues such as tree planting.
The objectives are:
- Fulfil DCC’s role as responsible authority for the development of the LNRS
- Enhance biodiversity on DCC land
- Ensure requirements of Biodiversity Net Gain for DCC development are met
- Improve ecological monitoring for all development (i.e. planning conditions)
B.4 Devon Tree and Woodland Strategy
Devon Tree and Woodland Strategy Full Document
Devon Tree and Woodland Strategy Summary Document
C) Enhancing biodiversity on our estate
The Authority has asset management responsibilities that include its own buildings, street lighting, maintenance of 8,000 miles of road; bridges and structures; roadside verges; public rights of way; hedges and trees; letting of County Farms; buildings’ grounds maintenance; and management of Country Parks and other countryside sites.
C.1 Tree planting on our land
Planting of a new 10‑hectare woodland, known as Brook Wood, began in 2024 and was successfully completed in 2025. In total, more than 20,000 trees were planted on our land as part of this initiative. Now being actively managed to ensure the ecological health of the woodland is maximised. The project has been formally registered under the Woodland Carbon Code and will look to offset DCC’s carbon in the future. In addition, between 2021 and 2025 we facilitated the planting of a further 50,000 trees on public land.
C.2 Stover Country Park
Our five yearly Stover Country Park Management Plan 2022-2026 sets out all the habitat management work required within the 114-acre Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and Local Nature Reserve.
Stover Country Park currently has a five-year Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier Agreement 2023-2027 with Natural England which covers certain elements and areas of habitat management which are funded. The rest of the habitat management work is funded by Devon County Council.
Over the last couple of years, significant work has been undertaken to improve woodland biodiversity under the Woodland Management Plan of the Higher Tier agreement approved by the Forestry Commission.
Stover Lake, which is classified as in ‘unfavourable condition’ by Natural England, has gone through a huge transformation over the past two years, with funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund enabling the removal of silt from the Lake, to increase species richness and health. In 2024, a specialist contractor removed 14,000 m3 of silt from the lake which was pumped into geotextile bags to drain and kill off invasive plants. After this the bags were opened, the silt spread out and the area planted with trees.
Educational activities at Stover Country Park are described in section H.6.
C.3 Grand Western Canal Country Park
This Country Park and Local Nature Reserve near Tiverton is managed by Devon County Council.
Over the period, seven hedgelaying days took place with volunteers.
Re-excavation of the overgrown Boehill Pond was completed in 2025. The pond is expected to become populated by a range of plants, invertebrates and amphibians.
Wildflower meadow and community orchard management events also took place.
Educational activities at the Country Park are described in section H.5.
C.4 DCC buildings – bird nesting provision
On the 5th September 2024, the Council resolved to support and encourage Devon Local Planning Authorities to incorporate the relevant Local Nature Recovery Strategy actions required to recover Swift populations, such as installing Swift bricks, into Local Plan policy and guidance We also wrote to the Secretary of State and Devon MPs calling on them to make Swift bricks a mandatory requirement in all new housing development.
To date, we have purchased five swift boxes, five house sparrow boxes, five bat boxes and five house martin cups. The Estates Manager will arrange for them to be put up when maintenance work requires scaffolding or access to roofs, to accompany the existing Swift boxes and electronic call in the bell tower at County Hall, Exeter.
C.5 Highways – street lighting
Over the last decade, DCC’s street lighting team has rolled out a LED luminaire in residential areas with a 3000K temperature, which is a warmer colour temperature than most modern LEDs, so to provide a warmer-white light rather than a bright light. Warmer light is better for nocturnal wildlife. We have also introduced part-night lighting and a stepped dimming regime.
DCC have upgraded to a Central Management System that now covers 80% of our street lighting, which has allowed us to trial further dimming and earlier switch off times in 2025 and into 2026. All this should have profound positive impacts upon wildlife, whilst keeping human safety at night an integral part of any decision making.
Benefits for wildlife include:
- Reduced disruption for nocturnal species, such as bats
- Minimising insects attracted to light sources, subsequent pollination impacts
- Increased feeding opportunities for wildlife that avoid light
- Reduced human-wildlife conflict, such as roadkill.
We are currently trialling even more wildlife friendly 2200K temperature luminaries in Chudleigh due to the prominence of Greater Horseshoe Bats in this location. Chudleigh Wild, the local community wildlife group, have worked with our street lighting team to carry out bat surveys to since the change in lanterns and have reported that this has had a positive effect on bat numbers.
Future Actions
- The Tree Equity Project will work in partnership with the Woodland Trust to identify key sites for tree planting that could deliver tree equity and other benefits for people and wildlife in urban areas public realm, including on highway land.
- Grand Western Canal nature trail with rubbing posts to be installed in 2026.
- There will be a street lighting policy update in 2026, following the 2024/25 trial of wildlife friendly lighting.
D) Incorporating biodiversity into the way we work
D.1 Incorporating biodiversity into development projects
We are the mineral and waste planning authority for most of Devon as well as for our own planning applications. We provided specialist ecological advice on approximately 75 planning applications determined by DCC in 2024 and 2025. These included a range of renewable energy schemes, new schools, importing waste, quarrying, cycle paths, new bridges and roads.
We also provided the ecological advice on around1,850 planning applications to South Hams, West Devon, Torbay, and Mid Devon local planning authorities and Dartmoor National Park. Our planning advice increasingly involved delivering a minimum 10% net gain in biodiversity, as well as protecting and enhancing designated sites and protected species. This has included ecological surveys and assessment of potential site allocations in the Torbay Local Plan Review, as well as helping develop strategic mitigation policies.
We provide specialist environmental input into the planning for, design and delivery of DCC infrastructure schemes, other relevant DCC developments and highway maintenance activities.
Monitoring planning conditions on consents for mineral sites has been carried out in this period, to ensure that habitat re-creation has been implemented. Sites include heathland re-creation at Blackhill Quarry in East Devon and river restoration at Denistone and Broadway near Kingsteignton.
D.2 Training and guidance
In this period, the wild beaver population has been spreading quickly through the County. As a result, interactions with our infrastructure, such as roads, bridges and public rights of way, have increased. We continue to be active members of the steering groups for the Beaver Management Partnerships within Devon. To upskill our many staff out on the ground in how to recognise beaver signs and to carry out our responsibilities without harm, the Natural Environment Team arranged a series of bespoke Beaver training events in 2024/25. Over 50 staff attended the two sessions, which featured professional training delivered by Devon Wildlife Trust, Natural England and the Environment Agency.
In summer 2025 we developed and released a beaver guidance note specifically for local authority functions, the first in the country we believe.
Training for a range of departments has also taken place. This includes to our planning officers and those from other local planning authorities. We produced guidance notes for our bridges and structures team for reducing disturbance impacts to bats. Where BNG was included in the sessions, this is listed below.
The wildlife planning guidance pages of our website have been improved and expanded over this period. We published a draft guidance note to protect grey long-eared bats (one of our rarest species) in relation to development in December 2024.
E) Biodiversity Net Gain
We have taken a leading role in preparing for, and then implementing, statutory BNG, which became a legal requirement in April 2024.
E.1 Training on BNG
- DCC initiated and lead the Devon BNG Steering Group to update and share learning.
- Training was delivered to all the relevant DCC departments, including three sessions to the Environmental Design Group who design DCC developments, as well as the Planning and Natural Environment Teams.
- At least 15 training sessions were delivered for district councils within Devon.
- Local authority councillors at Devon County Council, district councils, Dartmoor and Exmoor National Parks were also trained.
- Sessions for planning agents in South Hams, North Devon and West Devon.
- We delivered two BNG webinars for consultant ecologists within Devon.
- In addition, we delivered BNG training presentations to three RPTI events for planners.
E.2 BNG Guidance notes
- We produced both internal and external guidance notes on a range of BNG topics, including planning guidance, monitoring requirements, habitat bank registration, soils, historic environment considerations and the BNG metric. These are available on our dedicated BNG webpage.
E.3 Supported the development of a local BNG market
- We have reviewed the ecological information for the five registered Devon Habitat Banks.
- Ecological input was provided into creating a 23 further Habitat Banks in Devon.
- We advised Dartmoor National Park and Mid Devon District Council regarding setting up habitat banks on their own land.
- We spoke to the Teign Valley Farmers Facilitation Fund on BNG opportunities, as well as further discussions with farmers and landowners through FWAG SW and Blackdown Hills National Landscape.
- We contributed to a BNG Evaluation for Local Planning Authorities representing Devon Local Authorities, as part of the ‘Value for Money Focus Group’ as run by Eunomia.
E.4 Biodiversity gains from biodiversity gain plans we have approved
- We have approved biodiversity gain plans and discharged the BNG statutory condition for five DCC developments up to the end of December 2025.
- One Habitat Management and Monitoring Plan has been approved to date, for the developments at Stover Country Park. In the latter part of 2025, a BNG audit survey and SSSI ecological monitoring after the lake de-silting works were undertaken.
- For the five developments the on-site biodiversity net gain was 1.42 habitat units, 0.12 linear units and 0.04 watercourse units.
- The average percentage net gain across these five approved biodiversity gain plans was 14% in habitat units and 22% when summing up all habitat, linear and watercourse units.
- For proposals granted consent prior to the introduction of statutory BNG in 2024, DCC have secured net gain to comply with policy.
E.5 Plans for BNG in the next reporting period
- We expect that many more Biodiversity Gain Plans will be approved by us from January 2026 onwards, with the associated delivery of the net gain.
- We will continue to review and explore approaches to delivering BNG for DCC infrastructure projects.
- At our Stover Country Park 0.94 habitat units of other neutral grassland, willow scrub and ditch habitat creation will be delivered in 2026 to meet BNG requirements.
- The Stover Ranger team are being trained to continue the BNG audit surveys of the woodland and lake for years 2, 3 5, 10 & 30.
F) Devon Local Nature Partnership
The Devon Local Nature Partnership (LNP) is a voluntary strategic collaboration of organisations, groups and individuals committed to working together to restore Devon’s natural environment for people, wildlife and business. We provide overall co-ordination of the LNP Board, Working Group and Forum, as well as support on the networks and initiatives hosted by the partnership.
F.1 Devon Local Nature Recovery Strategy
DCC is the appointed Responsible Authority to lead the statutory Devon Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS), covering Devon and the areas of Plymouth and Torbay. This identifies the priorities for habitats and species, the actions needed to achieve these priorities and a map that shows where actions are most needed to reverse the decline of wildlife.
Led by our Environmental Sustainability Group, the LNRS has been developed in collaboration with a wide range of partners and wildlife experts under the umbrella of the Devon Local Nature Partnership. This has included discussion through LNP networks including farming, communities, education and health and collaborating with all our local authorities, including the two National Parks of Dartmoor and Exmoor, as well as Natural England.
The Local Nature Partnership Conference that took place in March 25 encouraged public and professional engagement with the LNRS and attracted 250 attendees. The public consultation period of autumn 2025, was widely engaged with across the county and the draft LNRS received positive feedback.
The LNRS has been produced as a standalone website to make it as accessible and inspirational as possible. The website includes information on Devon’s species and habitats, setting out pressures and opportunities, priorities (what we need to achieve), and what and where actions need to happen. We also included case studies and photographs to inspire action, and for each habitat included links to an improved Explore Devon website encouraging people to visit wildlife sites which are accessible to the public.
The Devon LNRS also includes extensive information on species including an updated list of Devon Special Species. This work involved species experts and recording groups from across Devon, including Devon Birds, the Devon Moth Group, Devon Mammal Group and the Devon Bat Group, and has led to the creation of a new LNP Devon Invertebrate Group.
This resulted in agreement on new priorities for biodiversity action in Devon. These are collated as a Long List highlighting Devon Species of Conservation Concern (DSoCC) and a Short List highlighting Devon Special Species.
A LNRS Viewer has been created to allow everyone to explore the biodiversity priorities and opportunities identified. This includes the statutory Local Habitat Map which shows where actions are most needed. These High Opportunity Areas will help to direct BNG as action is incentivised in these areas. The Viewer also shows Species Opportunity Areas and brings together lots of other Useful Layers in one place.
A delivery map was also launched on the LNRS Viewer in October 2025, so that anyone taking action for biodiversity can add their contribution – even in their own garden. In the first three months, as of December 2025, 21 delivery projects had been added to the map.
Future Actions LNRS
F.2 Networks and initiatives within the Devon LNP
DCC continued to fund the co-ordination of the Network of Environmental Educators in Devon (NEED). The NEED Forum and Steering Group have met regularly to share best practice. In February 2025, 60 NEED members attended an event at our Stover Country Park and in September 2025, 50 members, including some students met at Dartmoor Zoological Park.
A member of our staff leads the Naturally Healthy initiative. Through this initiative the successful Dynamic Dartmoor Lottery Bid resulted in 35 walk leaders being trained on engaging people in connecting to nature whilst outdoors.
Wild About Devon (WAD) is a network to help communities take action for wildlife and tackle the ecological emergency. The LNP and DCC contracted co-ordinators to strengthen WAD, raise its profile and support the LNRS. WAD ran another two successful grant schemes, with the help of Devon Communities Together, distributing small grants to almost 50 projects in 24/25. In 2024 over 700 people were engaged, with additional numbers in 2025 yet to be confirmed.
The Devon Invasive Species Initiative (DISI) is a GB Non-Native Species Secretariat Local Action Group, that co-ordinates raising awareness of non-native invasive species in Devon and how best to deal with them. During 2024/25 this included sharing expertise to inform strategies such as the LNRS, raising the profile of national priorities, and connecting teams and individuals working on tackling non-native invasive species.
G) Delivering biodiversity actions within Devon
G.1 Tree planting
In addition to tree planting on land owned and managed by Devon County Council, the authority has continued to support large-scale woodland creation and tree planting across Devon through partnership working and external funding.
Devon County Council successfully secured funding from the Forestry Commission to administer a Local Authority Treescapes Fund, which built on the Council’s earlier Emergency Tree Fund. Through this programme, more than 17,000 trees were planted across 20 sites during 2024, with a further minimum of 27,000 trees planted during the 2024/25 winter planting season.
The Woodland Creation Accelerator Project was funded by Forestry Commission and is being led by Devon County Council in partnership with Plymouth City Council. This funding allowed us to appoint a Woodland Creation Project Manager to deliver the actions identified in the Devon Tree and Woodland Strategy. This work also involved DCC working more closely with the Plymouth and South Devon Community Forest team. This project has an ambitious target to plant over 400ha of trees across several years, with many of these trees being planted in the PSDCF area.
The Council’s Woodland Creation Project Manager also supports the development of community “tiny forest” projects, enabling local communities to contribute to nature recovery and climate resilience.
In early 2024, Devon County Council made its final financial contribution to the Saving Devon’s Treescapes project, led by Devon Wildlife Trust in response to ash dieback disease. The Council has also provided officer support to the project’s steering group. Since 2020, this initiative has enabled the planting of over 228,000 trees outside of woodland settings. In addition, the Council’s Free Tree Scheme distributed 2,250 trees to residents during winter 2024.
The Devon Woods project provides free advice and support to landowners for the creation of new woodlands and wetlands. The project aims to improve water quality, enhance habitat for wildlife, sequester carbon, and reduce flood risk. Launched in 2021, the project is expected to continue until 2027.
The project operates across much of Devon, with a focus on priority catchments where there is the greatest opportunity to improve water quality status. These include the Tamar, Torridge, Taw, Teign, Exe, Culm, Clyst, Otter and Axe catchments, while also supporting suitable projects in other areas of the county.
So far, we have supported dozens of woodland creation projects – creating over 150 hectares of new woodland habitat and planting hundreds of thousands of trees. We have also helped to create several new wetlands, install leaky woody dams and other Natural Flood Management features, and protected many kilometres of watercourses.
Further information on Devon County Council’s tree and woodland work is available at: https://www.devon.gov.uk/environment/landscape/trees-and-woodland/
G.2 Devon Resilience Innovation Project (DRIP)
The Devon Resilience Innovation Project (DRIP) is one of 25 projects in the country funded by Defra until March 2027 as part of the flagship £150 million Flood and Coastal Resilience Innovation Programme to develop and test innovative approaches to flood resilience.
Installation of works is progressing in Devon County Council DRIP Project Natural Flood Management (NFM) pilot areas. Achievements to date include:
- Creation of diverse habitats: wetland and riparian ecosystems have been introduced and enhanced, providing valuable habitats for birds, amphibians, invertebrates, and mammals.
- Beaver populations are establishing and expanding as wetlands and suitable habitats are created through NFM.
- Improved water quality and soil health: NFM helps filter sediment and other pollutants generated through runoff, creating cleaner watercourses that support fish and other aquatic species.
- Increased structural diversity: woody debris, leaky dams, and wetland plants create shelter, breeding, and nursery sites for species, while also allowing migratory species to pass through naturally.
- Native planting: trees and wildflowers have been planted through DRIP, boosting pollinator populations, improving ecological connectivity, and providing essential food sources for wildlife.
- Colonisation of NFM features: scrapes, contour trenches, and ponds are now supporting diverse plant communities.
- Habitat heterogeneity: the introduction of varied NFM features such as leaky dams, woody debris, and wetland vegetation has increased structural complexity within landscapes and waterways, creating a diversity of microhabitat.
H) Working in partnership, raising awareness and educating the community
H.1 Partnership Activity
DCC’s involvement in the five National Landscape partnerships, the North Devon UNESCO Biosphere, the Wembury Marine Centre and the estuary partnerships strengthen our ability to influence wildlife enhancement across Devon. These collaborations connect us with expert organisations, local communities and land managers, enabling coordinated action on habitat restoration, nature-based solutions and species protection.
Through shared strategies, joint projects and aligned messaging, we help shape priorities for landscape scale recovery, improve ecological monitoring, and support education and engagement. This collective approach ensures that biodiversity initiatives are consistent, impactful and delivered across whole catchments, coasts and landscapes for maximum benefit to Devon’s wildlife.
Below we give a few examples of activities from the partnerships we host.
H.2 Exe Estuary Partnership
The Exe Estuary Management Partnership (EEMP) is a non- statutory partnership that brings together local authorities, government agencies, conservation groups, commercial and recreational interests, and local communities to share information, collaborate, and support the sustainable use and stewardship of the estuary. The co-ordinators of the Exe Estuary Management Partnership are hosted by Devon County Council.
At the Exe Estuary Forums in 2024 – 2025 over 200 local residents were engaged. At the September 2025 Forum the Devon County Ecologist led a workshop to encourage engagement with the LNRS.
In 2025 the team engaged with 187 pupils across four schools; through four outdoor educational sessions at Exmouth, sessions consisted of educating pupils on the natural environment of the Exe estuary.
During 2024 and 2025 the work included the following studies and research:
Exe Estuary Seagrass Desktop Study – a review of seagrass restoration potential in the Exe Estuary, which included stakeholder engagement.
Following the integration of stakeholder feedback and the ecosystem service criteria, three potential sites for seagrass restoration have been identified within the Exe Estuary.
Exe Estuary SSSI Condition Assessment Tool 2024-25 3Cs initiative. Interactive map of the Exe Estuary SSSI feature data. The Coastal Support Officer has gathered data on Exe Estuary SSSI features to create an interactive map to display their locations and changes over time.
Assessing Sedimentation and Siltation Dynamics in the Exe Estuary – The focus of this report is to examine sedimentation and siltation processes in the Exe Estuary, to review past literature, and research, and to identify what is already known about these processes within the Exe catchment. The purpose of this report is to provide a baseline study which can be used to identify the gaps in our knowledge and inform future research.
Future Plans
The Exe Estuary Partnership have prepared new educational materials to engage with schools. We plan to engage with over 200 pupils in 2026.
H.3 North Devon Coast National Landscape
The Finding Nature’s Footprints (FNF) project has delivered significant environmental and community benefits across the North Devon Coast National Landscape over its three-year delivery. The project strengthened local skills, provided specialist training, and increased participation in biodiversity monitoring and nature recovery.
Project staff, supported by three one-year interns, developed community skills in species identification, surveying, and mapping through workshops and public engagement. FNF also provided work experience, skills and workshops, supporting approx. 35 young people to gain practical skills and training that help build long term local capacity for environmental stewardship.
The project has generated substantial ecological evidence, including over 17,000 wildlife records submitted to the Devon Biodiversity Records Centre via iNaturalist. Habitat and species surveys, alongside community led mapping and the codesign of Local Nature Recovery Plans, are informing local action and empowering communities to contribute to long term nature recovery.
FNF has also supported positive behaviour change by helping people connect with nature and understand their environmental impact. School programmes engaged 180 children in creative, environmental learning, while wider community involvement strengthened green prescribing initiatives improving over 100 local people’s access to nature, wellbeing, and a deeper connection to the local environment.
H.4 Blackdown Hills National Landscape
The Connecting the Culm project is working with nature and local communities, to help make the River Culm and its catchment better for wildlife and people, and more resilient to flood and drought. Two catchment officers have been busy installing natural flood management across the catchment, like tree and hedge planting, leaky dams, scrapes, bunds, and channel infilling works.
Examples include working with the Woodland Trust at Hunkin Wood, Culmstock, partnering with The Duchy Estate near Cole Brook, Cullompton and planning flood resilience works with Mid Devon District Council around Cole Brook and Crow Green stream.
The Rivers Run Through Us project launched in January 2025 to involve local farmers and communities in nature restoration in the River Axe, its tributaries, and surrounding valleys. Local communities will be empowered to monitor river health. Blackdown Hill National Landscape lead the project in partnership with Dorset and East Devon National Landscapes. In addition, the project aims to support farmers and land managers in safeguarding their natural resources and building mutually beneficial relationships with the wider community. New educational programs will be developed to engage people with the river and its heritage.
H.5 Education work at Grand Western Canal Country Park
During 2024 and 2025 14 wildlife themed family events and 12 pond dipping/minibeast hunts were arranged at the Country Park, reaching almost 400 adults and children. The ranger led school and youth group pond dipping events in 2024 educated a further nearly 500 children.
The team delivered a Bicton college talk and provided three wildlife management students with work experience with the Grand Western Canal.
H.6 Education work at Stover Country Park
Over the last two years the Restoring Stover Park project has presented opportunities for local schools and the local community to take part in tree growing and planting. The Veteran Tree Project has involved over 250 primary school children collecting and growing on trees, to be planted in winter 25/26 to create a woodland on the area where the lake silt was spread.
Public Volunteer Days were held on 15 dates, with varied habitat management tasks completed. More habitat management tasks were undertaken with students and adults with Special Needs. The Dove Project from Ivybridge, Oakwood College from Dawlish, and Mayfields College from Paignton attended during 2024 and 2025, with a Mental Health support group from Totnes volunteering in 2025. Probation Services bought five adults out volunteering weekly in 2024. On a weekly basis, individual volunteers help with conservation work.
Five volunteer trainee rangers were recruited over the past two years on the Restoring Stover Park Lottery Project and helped achieve improvements in biodiversity, working over 1800 hours.
In 2025 six work experience students learnt a variety of new skills working with us, providing 70 hours of help. These placements will be continuing into 2026.
As part of the Lottery project, two further years of dragonfly monitoring training was delivered to groups of over 17 young adults. This project focusses on creating the next generation of monitoring experts for the 25 species of dragonflies and damselflies at the County Park.
Stover has a successful events programme consisting of guided walks and children’s activities focussing on fungus forays, birds, wildflowers, wild food, heritage, reedbed water quality, evening walks looking at nightjars, bats and glow worms, along with pond dipping, minibeast hunts, bushcraft and forest fun sessions. Over 500 members of the public attended eight guided walks and 11 children’s activities in 2024, with over 750 attending nine guided walks and 11 children’s activities in 2025.
The total number of children attending ranger-led school visits was 906 children in 2024 and 869 in 2025. Under the Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier Agreement, Stover has the ability to run 25 funded educational visits for schools whose topics fit within certain criteria detailed in the National Curriculum. Subjects covered at Stover include habitats and wildlife adaptations, flowering plants, water quality, river profiles and structure, pond dipping, minibeast hunts, the history of the Park, and environmental challenges/conflicts for older children.
The Stover Rangers also manage the Denbury Iron Age Hillfort and provide an annual guided history and wildlife walk and a wildflower survey in spring.
H.7 Farmwise event
This annual event, held at the County Showground near Exeter in October, provides an opportunity for our primary school children to understand more about farming in Devon and how food is produced on Devon’s farms. The Farmwise Schools Day does this by enabling pupils to have a ‘beyond the classroom experience’ and be able to engage with demonstrations and displays that can provide a ‘touch, feel and smell’ experience in a safe environment. Each year over 1500 pupils and 200 teachers attended.
Devon County Council and the Devon County Agricultural Association are the main supporters of the event. Stover Country Park organises the Countryside Zone for the Farmwise event, recruiting various organisation such as the Barn Owl Trust, Grand Western Canal, Exmoor and Dartmoor National Park, Teignbridge Countryside Section and Mammal Society among others to lead activities for the children attending.
H.8 Community Action Groups Devon
We fund Community Action Groups Devon (CAG), which exist to support and empower community groups to act towards a more sustainable future. Biodiversity became a greater focus for CAG during 2024 and 2025. During 2025 new members included the Sid Valley Biodiversity Group and Otter River Catchment Action. In total, the CAG Devon network held 1219 events in 24-25, which included tree planting and eco-festivals. There are now 25 active nature and biodiversity groups under the CAG umbrella.
I) Monitoring and evaluating our actions
Our corporate activity on enhancing biodiversity is monitored by our Environmental Performance Board, which meets quarterly. The Board is chaired by the Director for Climate Change, Environment and Transport and attended by the portfolio holder for Climate Change and Biodiversity.
Our partnership activities are principally monitored and scrutinised by the many environmental partnerships we are involved in, particularly the Devon Local Nature Partnership, the North Devon UNESCO Biosphere Partnership and the five National Landscape Partnerships.