Devon Wildlife Trust's has this week announced the winners of its popular annual wildlife photographic competition.The winner of the adult category was David Chamberlain of Teignmouth with a close up of the face of a Large Red Damselfly taken at Dunsford Nature Reserve, near Exeter. 2nd prize went to Brian Knibbs of Hatherleigh with his Robin taken at DWT's Halsdon nature reserve. David Chamberlain also won 3rd prize for his Grass Snake taken at Little Bradley Ponds nature reserve, near Chudleigh Knighton. David Chamberlain, a very keen amateur photographer, was absolutely delighted to have won the competition and said he hopes to be able to break into the professional ranks in the future.The photos, which had to be taken at one of the charity's nature reserves, were judged by a panel of volunteers who were very impressed by the overall quality of the entries.The prizes included optical equipment donated by the Exeter branch of the London Camera Exchange, £75 cash donated by Francis Clark Chartered Accountants, £50 voucher donated by The Moorland Rambler and £35 cash donated by Eggesford Garden & Country Centre. Competition organiser and DWT volunteer Pat Bussell said: "The photos show some of the fantastic wildlife that can be seen on the nature reserves on our own doorsteps. The best photos will be travelling the county for the general public to enjoy, congratulations to David for his stunning winning shot!" A selection of images from the 2008 competition will go on display at Honiton library from 20 January to 30 January before then going on to Exeter Central Library from 17 February. A full list of all the display dates through 2009 is available from the DWT office.

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NORTH DEVON BUSINESSES HAVE SAY OVER NEW MARINE CONSERVATION ZONES (Ref DWT 12 Jan 2009)
A conservation charity is this month inviting local businesses to attend workshops to find out what the plans for the future of the area's marine environment will mean for their companies. The workshops are being run by Devon Wildlife Trust and are funded by the North Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty's Sustainable Development Fund. They are being held on 24 January in Braunton and 31 January in Hartland and are open to anyone with an interest in the issue. The aim of the sessions is to give people an opportunity to find out more about Marine Conservation Zones (MCZs), part of the Government's upcoming Marine Bill, and the new marketing opportunities these areas will provide. People who attend will also be invited to contribute to the work of the Finding Sanctuary project which is responsible for determining the extent and locations of these MCZs. The Government has pledged to introduce the network of MCZs by 2012 and the charity says it is vital that everyone has the chance to voice their opinion so that the resulting networks of protection will have the support of as many users of the marine environment as possible. Cat Jones, DWT's Marine Awareness Officer for north Devon, said: "This is a really exciting time for everyone with an interest in conserving and promoting our amazing marine wildlife. The possibility of one these zones being located off the coast of north Devon provides a great opportunity for local business to market their environmental credentials, be it a local hotel with sea views or a tourist boat charter company." Anyone wishing to take part in the workshops should contact Cat Jones at Devon Wildlife Trust on 01409 221823 for more information. The workshops are part of Devon Wildlife Trust's 'Living Seas' project which has been funded thanks to a £6,000 grant from the North Devon AONB Sustainable Development Fund.

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WILDLIFE TRUST'S LARGEST NATURE RESERVE GETS BIGGER (Ref DWT 7/1/2009)
Devon Wildlife Trust (DWT) has this month completed the purchase of 7 hectares of woodland and meadow adjoining its Marsland nature reserve, near Bude in north Devon. The land acquisition, part of Beatland Woods, is an important addition to the Site of Special Scientific Interest and will provide extra habitat for many rare species of birds, plants and insects. The site is exceptionally diverse consisting of wooded, steep sided valleys along with coastal heath, meadows, small streams and ponds. Devon Wildlife Trust's Land Management Manager Matt Boydell said: 'This site is the largest nature reserve we own and it's great to be able to increase it further with this new purchase. At nearly two hundred hectares this site has a wide variety of habitats. This new area of woodland and meadows should help us to manage the site more effectively allowing a wide range of species to thrive. Increasingly we are trying to expand our nature reserves to make them important wildlife rich hubs and it is something that our members appreciate.' The site is well known for its important populations of five species of threatened fritillary butterflies. Nature Reserve officer Gary Pilkington has looked after the reserve for more than two decades. He said: 'We have had some great success stories managing the site particularly for butterflies. The site is home to Devon's largest population of pearl-bordered fritillary. Their numbers have seen an increase of over 200% over the past 20 years. It will be good to see how the site develops over the coming years.' For more information about DWT's nature reserves visit www.devonwildlifetrust.org

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BIDEFORD COMPANY COMMITS TO WILDLIFE CHARITY (Ref DWT 19/12/08
Bideford based SMA Mortgage Solutions have this month received their Corporate Supporter certificate from Devon Wildlife Trust after agreeing to help fund the charity's conservation work. The company has become the latest of nearly 100 businesses across the county to recognise the important work that Devon Wildlife Trust does to protect fragile local habitats and species. SMA Mortgage Solutions will be working with the charity on a new affinity scheme encouraging more people to leave a lasting legacy to Devon Wildlife Trust. Andrew Mackenzie-Shapland, a Director from the company said: 'We are delighted to support the Devon Wildlife Trust through their Corporate Supporter scheme and we look forward to raising the profile of The Trust with our clients and associates in 2009 and beyond.' The charity's Corporate Supporters Scheme is run by Devon Wildlife Trust's Tracy Ebbrell. She said: 'The scheme has been running for seven years. In that time it has gone from strength to strength. It is great that SMA Mortgage Solutions have agreed to support our work and it shows how even in a difficult economic climate companies are still willing to help protect their local environment.' For more information about becoming a Corporate Supporter call Tracy Ebbrell on 01392 279244 or visit www.devonwildlifetrust.org

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ANOTHER FIRM SIGNS UP TO WILDLIFE CHARITY'S NEW ALTERNATIVE TO CARBON OFFSETTING DESPITE DOWNTURN (Ref 17/12/08)
Wildlife Charity Devon Wildlife Trust (DWT) based at Cricklepit Mill, Exeter has this week signed up another corporate supporter to its new alternative to carbon offsetting. Pipex Ltdbased in Plymouth, Devon have donated £6,000 to the charity's new Carbon Compensation scheme rather than investing in a conventional carbon offset scheme. Carbon Compensation is a new way for businesses to help demonstrate their commitment to making a difference to the environment and climate change by investing in long term local projects. One of the main initiatives to benefit will be the charity's Working Wetlands project that aims to restore the wet Culm Grasslands of North Devon. These are some of the rarest and most vital habitats in the country and as well as supporting a range of species also act as effective carbon sinks. Tracy Ebbrell, DWT's Corporate Relations Officer said: "We are delighted that Pipex Ltd have recognised the value in supporting the work of the Devon Wildlife Trust. It is critical that we hold on to the carbon sinks in the region such as our Culm Grasslands. It is estimated that by the middle of this century emissions from losing wetlands and peat bogs could be as big a source of C02 to the atmosphere as burning fossil fuels. It is also good to see that in the current economic climate businesses are still committed to protecting the environment." Pipex Ltd, Established in 1975, manufacture and install corrosion resistant thermoplastic and composite pipe systems and structures. Sarah Raynor, Marketing Director from Pipex Ltd said: "Pipex are very pleased to have joined the Devon Wildlife Trust as a corporate supporter. It has always been the Pipex ethos to protect the environment and DWT have offered us guidance on the best methods for doing this. The Carbon Compensation scheme is especially relevant to Pipex as a manufacturer, and we are dedicated to offering long term support in preserving the Wetlands." Earlier in the year north Devon business, Farm and Cottage Holiday's also joined the scheme. Devon Wildlife Trust is keen for other businesses to commit to Carbon Compensation, a local, long term and effective alternative to a standard offset scheme. For more information about Carbon Compensation call Tracy Ebbrell on 01392 260858 or email tebbrell@devonwildlifetrust.org

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NATIONAL NATURE RESERVE EXPANSION A BUTTERFLY BOOST (Ref DWT 11/12/08)
Devon Wildlife Trust (DWT) has this month completed the purchase of 19 hectares of grassland adjoining its popular National Nature Reserve at Dunsdon near Holsworthy in north Devon. The land acquisition adjoins the west end of the reserve and will provide extra habitat for many rare species of plants and insects. The site was originally bought by DWT in 2000 and was 57 hectares in total. It is known to be one of the best examples of Culm Grassland in the county. The purchase is part of the charity's five year Working Wetlands project and has been made possible thanks to support from Grantscape who are funding much of the restoration and expansion of existing Devon Wildlife Trust nature reserves in the area. Devon Wildlife Trust's Working Wetlands project is the charity's biggest, most ambitious project to date and covers an area of 65,000 hectares across northern Devon. The project aims to restore, re-create and reconnect large areas of Culm Grassland. A staggering 95% of this rare habitat has been lost since the beginning of the 20th Century, mainly through changes in agriculture. DWT's Land Management Manager Matt Boydell said: "This is the first purchase we have made as part of the Working Wetlands project so it is exciting to get started on improving and expanding our Culm Grassland nature reserves. We hope with careful management the new area will revert to Culm within a few years and provide vital habitat for the rare species that make the site their home. This includes the threatened marsh fritillary butterfly which thrives elsewhere on Dunsdon. It is important for us to expand our nature reserves to make sure they are robust enough to cope with external factors that could put them at risk such as climate change." The site is open to the public all year round and is also accessible via the Bude canal towpath route.

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PUBLIC ENCOURAGED TO REPORT STRANDED MARINE ANIMALS (Ref DWT 8/12/08

Common Dolphin at Cornbourough Cliff, west of Westward Ho! 12 November - Photo by Dave Jenkins.

With the start of December and the onset of winter storms, Devon and Cornwall Wildlife Trusts are expecting an increased number of dead marine animals stranding along the region's coastline. The charities are once again urging the public to report any sightings to them so that the phenomenon can be more closely monitored. Devon and Cornwall Wildlife Trusts would like to know of any species of stranded marine animal. They have been recording trends for many years, building up a good picture of the types of species washed up and likely causes of the problem. If people come across a marine stranding in Devon they should contact the Devon Biodiversity Records Centre on 01392 274128. When reporting a stranding out of office hours, the public are encouraged to leave a message on the answerphone with details including their name and contact number, date and time of the sighting, species (if known) and as much detail of its location as possible. Stranded marine animals in Cornwall should be reported immediately to the Cornwall Wildlife Trust Marine Stranding Network on their 24 hour Hotline number: 0845 201 2626. The Hotline is covered every day of the year. More information about the Strandings Network can be found at www.cwtstrandings.org Lauren Davis from the Devon Biodiversity Records Centre said: "In the past we have seen an increase in dolphin strandings over the winter period so it is important the public are on the look out now and call us as soon as they come across one. We need as many eyes out there as possible. We do have volunteers who help us, but it is difficult to monitor all the beaches in the South West without the public's help." The charities will always try to get a trained volunteer out to as many strandings as possible to record details about the species and exact location. Lauren added: "Recording stranded animals provides us with information about the marine environment and the health of marine creatures. This information is vital in helping us to conserve our marine wildlife and cannot be learnt just from studying live animals. If we catch strandings in time, they can be sent off for post mortem examination from which we can learn about causes of death, distribution, diet, diseases and the effects of pollution."

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NEW SCHEME LAUNCHED TO BOOST THE FORTUNES OF KEY DEVON SPECIES (Ref DWT 28/11/08
In the run up to Christmas, Devon Wildlife Trust is launching a new conservation initiative aimed at securing a future for four wildlife species while providing people with some original present ideas. The 'Adopt a species' scheme launched through the DWT website, www.devonwildlifetrust.org allows people to donate and support the Trust's conservation work in Devon, protecting habitats and species for future generations to enjoy. People can choose to 'adopt' from a list four wonderful species: dormouse, otter, dolphin and bat. With each £15 donation children will receive a welcome letter, fact sheet and certificate, a postcard of the species, a fun activity book and a pack of six colouring pencils. Rachael Pine, DWT's Fundraising Manager said: "This is a great way for people to support our vital conservation work and makes the perfect alternative gift for Christmas! We chose these species as they are some of the most iconic wildlife you can see in Devon. Dormice, for example, are under threat nationally, but because of work by conservation organisations such as DWT, Devon still remains a stronghold." The money raised will go towards the costs of carrying out conservation work, directly contributing to the safeguard and survival of these endangered species so that the populations can continue to grow. For more information about the 'Adopt a species' scheme, visit www.devonwildlifetrust.org or call DWT on 01392 279244

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LOCAL PEOPLE INVITED TO HAVE SAY OVER NEW MARINE CONSERVATION ZONES (Ref DWT 2711/08)
A conservation groups is calling for local people to come and have their say on what the future of the area's marine environment should be. This winter, Devon Wildlife Trust's will be hosting a series of workshops open to anyone with an interest in the issue. The workshops, which are being funded by the North Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty's Sustainable Development Fund, will give an opportunity for people to find out more about Marine Conservation Zones (MCZs), part of the Government's upcoming Marine Bill. People will also be invited to contribute to the work of the Finding Sanctuary project which is responsible for determining the extent and locations of these MCZs.The Government has pledged to introduce the network of MCZs by 2010 and it is vital that everyone has the chance to voice their opinion so that the resulting networks of protection will have the support of as many users of the marine environment as possible.Cat Jones, DWT's Marine Awareness Officer for north Devon, said: "This is a really exciting time for everyone with an interest in conserving our amazing marine wildlife. Finding Sanctuary, the project responsible for identifying areas for protection, is undertaking full stakeholder participation. This means that individuals and groups such as dive clubs and anglers can have their say in deciding which areas of our seas should be protected." Any groups wishing to receive a presentation on marine conservation or take part in future workshops to be held in January should contact Cat Jones at Devon Wildlife Trust on 01409 221823 for more information. Devon Wildlife Trust's 'Living Seas' project has been funded thanks to a £6,000 grant from the North Devon AONB Sustainable Development Fund.

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DORMICE COME OUT FROM THE WILD Ref: DWT 7/11/08)
What was originally thought to be just a freak occurrence, a dormouse feeding at a garden birdfeeder, now seems to be turning into a wildlife phenomenon; one which is causing scientists to re-think their assumptions about one of Devon best-loved creatures. Now an Exeter-based student, working with the Devon Biodiversity Records Centre, is asking people in Devon and Cornwall to track this trend by looking out for dormice feeding in their gardens.The recent cold snap should have meant that most members of this diminutive mouse family are tucked away for the winter hibernation, however Devon Biodiversity Records Centre has received a number of recent reports of dormice still foraging in Devon gardens, and in particular of them taking advantage of free food from garden bird feeders.University of Exeter student, Stephen Carroll, has been researching the phenomenon during the past year visiting more than 40 sites in the county. He now wants to know if anyone else is finding these wonderful little creatures active in their gardens. Armed with this information he hopes to be able to understand more about this strange behaviour. Stephen said: "Over the last few years we've had to change the way we think about where dormice are and how they behave. This summer I have spent a lot of time surveying sites and this has revealed a lot of new information. It looks like the phenomenon of visiting gardens is quite widespread. We are not sure whether it is the lack of food in the wild, or related to numbers of dormice, meaning that they are spreading into the towns. Longer term climate change could also be altering their behaviour. Or it could be just that nobody has really noticed them before now. My study hopes to answer some of these questions. It would be great to find out if dormice are turning up in more gardens than we currently know of." Recent sightings have come in from Newton Abbot, Tiverton and other Devon towns. In one example, Devon Biodiversity Records Centre received clear photos of a dormouse acrobatically hanging from a bird feeder while nibbling away at peanuts. Stephen added: "The period before hibernation is when dormice will be trying to fatten up as much as they can, so this might be the best chance to see them taking advantage of food in gardens. Dormice nationally are a rare species and usually they would be hidden away on woodland nature reserves in the countryside. At most of these unusual sightings the sites contain a decent hedgerow which must be their route of passage, but in many cases there are no wildlife rich areas nearby." Dormice are protected by law and Stephen has a special licence to handle them. To register a sighting, log on to www.devonwildlifetrust.org and click on 'wildlife recording form'. The data will be logged with the Devon Biodiversity Records Centre and the passed onto Stephen to help with the research. The study continues until summer 2009.

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GOVERNMENT NEEDS TO 'SEAS THE DAY' ON MARINE BILL Ref DWT 6/11/08
The Devon Wildlife Trust (DWT) is increasingly concerned about the possibility of the Marine Bill being dropped from this year's Queen Speech. This could potentially lead to further delays in protection for the UK's important marine life and DWT is encouraging the Government to 'Seas the Day'. In response to the news, the charity's national office, in conjunction with the RSPB, WWF and Marine Conservation Society have printed an advert in today's national papers calling on Mr Brown not to drop the Marine Bill and to protect the UK's seas.Paul Gompertz, Director of Devon Wildlife Trust said: "With measures to improve nature conservation in our seas, to place new conservation duties on inshore fisheries management, to introduce joined-up decision making through marine spatial planning and to streamline marine licensing, the Marine Bill will provide a significant and much needed step-change in how we manage the waters around our island. It is vital that the Marine Bill gets onto the statute books in 2009. It is one of those 'once-in-a-lifetime' opportunities and must be seized now." The Marine Bill has been compared to legislation setting up the National Parks in 1947. The Marine Bill was one of the Government's manifesto commitments in the last election and over 300,000 people signed pledges in support of the campaign to make sure the Bill is in place next year. Paul added: "I am hearing worrying news from national colleagues suggesting that we might lose the Marine Bill from the next Parliament, potentially forced out of the Queen's Speech in December by other legislative priorities. This would be a grave mistake. Whatever the short term imperatives, be they social or economic, they are all underpinned by the need to ensure that the environment continues to provide the ecosystem services on which life on this planet depends. This is as true in the context of our oceans as it is on land. We ignore the need to protect and enhance marine ecosystems at our peril. I hope that Mr Brown listens to the many voices supporting this legislation, and makes sure that the Marine Bill is in the next Queen's Speech." For more information about the Marine Bill visit www.wildlifetrusts.org and click on Marine Bill Campaign

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WILDLIFE CHARITY LAUNCHES APPEAL TO SAVE RARE HABITAT (Ref DWT 17/10/08)
Devon Wildlife Trust (DWT) is this month launching an appeal to raise £20,000 to help secure the wildlife rich grasslands in North Devon. The appeal, which has gone out to existing Devon Wildlife Trust members this week, will help to fund the charity's new five year restoration project - 'Working Wetlands'. Devon Wildlife Trust's Working Wetlands project is the charity's biggest and most ambitious project to date and covers an area of 65,000 hectares across northern Devon. The project aims to restore, re-create and reconnect large areas of this rare Culm Grassland habitat. A staggering 95% has been lost since the beginning of the 20th Century, mainly through agricultural improvement. Project Manager, Peter Burgess, said: "Donations to this project will help us restore this amazing habitat which supports many rare species of flowers and insects along with more well known creatures such as curlew and barn owls. We are encouraging people to help us buy key tracts of land, restore and re-create wildlife habitats, and rebuild continuous swathes of the landscape that made northern Devon famous." To donate to the appeal, visit www.devonwildlifetrust.org and click on 'Helping Us' or call DWT on 01392 279244. All donations will help to match fund the grants already received from the Tubney Charitable Trust, South West Water, Devon Waste Management, Grantscape, Natural England, Devonshire Motors and Farm & Cottage Holidays

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Discovering Devon's beauty has never been easier Ref:1/9/08
North and South Devon Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty have joined forces to produce a number of themed trails to enable people to discover some of the county's hidden gems. The eight trails are grouped into cultural themes; Man and the Landscape, Trade and Settlement, Coast in Conflict, and A Colourful Landscape. The trails are designed to cater for all abilities and range from a casual stroll to a strenuous 6-mile hike. Matthew Hensby from the AONB says, "Walking is undoubtedly the best way to experience and explore the countryside. It allows you to take in the sounds, smells and tranquilly like nothing else. Walking enables you to explore off the beaten track, climb to the most remote vantage points, and revel in the best of the Devon's landscapes and wildlife. Our project with the South Devon AONB was designed to encourage people to do just that, explore, experience and enjoy some of the best countryside in Britain, and for many it's just outside their font door!" Dave Edgcombe, AONB Project Officer continues "We are extremely happy with how the trails have turned out and would like to acknowledge the support of both the Devon County Council and Natural England whose funding was vital to this projects success." The trail guides are available for download from www.northdevon-aonb.org.uk/cultural_trails, www.discoverdevon.com/cutural-devon, and www.southdevonaonb.org.uk

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North Devon AONB Team Grows (Ref 12/8/2008)
As the 50th anniversary of North Devon's Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) approaches, new team member Matthew Hensby has been drafted in to help promote the celebrations. A recent University of Exeter graduate, Matthew says, "To remain in Devon and have the opportunity to promote such a wonderful landscape is a real privilege. Thousands of people live in and visit the North Devon AONB every year, some without knowing it, and we hope that this occasion will allow people to discover, or rediscover, the area's fantastic qualities." The exciting programme of events will take place between autumn 2009 and spring 2010 and could include themed walks, cycle rides, local food festivals, photographic competitions, tree planting, talks, and a huge range of other activities and as Matthew explains, "the purpose of these celebrations are to increase the awareness of what is a stunning area and to promote sustainable ways of enjoying it." Matthew is keen to contact anyone who would like to organise an event or activity to celebrate the 50 years of the designation. In the almost 50 years since the ANOB was designated, many organisation have worked to keep this area special. Agencies such as the National Trust manage large coastal estates for the benefit of wildlife and the general public, the Devon Wildlife Trust operate a voluntary marine conservation area, the South West Coast path provides access to even the most remote areas, and numerous landowners and volunteers work hard to maintain the natural beauty of the coast. The AONB Partnership was established in 2004 and has invested close to £500,000 every year since, including the running of a successful grant fund supporting community projects from wood fuel boilers to tree planting schemes. Linda Blanchard, AONB Manager, continues, "North Devon is one of the country's most spectacular areas and the partnership is keen to make sure that everyone can enjoy the natural beauty of the AONB. With the upcoming events and having Matthew on board will help make the culmination of the past fifty years a great celebration for all." More information on the AONB's work and their 50th anniversary can be found on www.northdevon-aonb.org.uk The North Devon AONB would like to express thanks to the Graduates for Torridge Scheme and the University of Exeter for their help in making this project possible.