Devon Local Nature Partnership

Devon Local Nature Partnership Bringing together everyone who is interested in protecting Devon's environment and restoring nature.

Meet Devon's ecosystem engineers ๐ŸฆซBeavers donโ€™t just build dams. They can help reshape entire landscapes.By slowing the ...
28/08/2026

Meet Devon's ecosystem engineers ๐Ÿฆซ

Beavers donโ€™t just build dams. They can help reshape entire landscapes.

By slowing the flow of water and creating ponds, wetlands and wet woodland, beavers can create a whole collection of new habitats โ€” giving insects, birds, amphibians, fish and plants more places to live. ๐ŸŒฟ๐Ÿ’ง

In Devon, beavers are already part of the countyโ€™s natural landscape, Devon Wildlife Trusts River Otter Beaver Trial was England's first wild beaver re-introduction project, from 2015-2020!

Think of them as natureโ€™s civil engineers โ€” except their toolkit is mostly teeth, branches and mud. ๐Ÿฆซ

๐ŸŒฑ Restoring wetlands and improving watercourses are key parts of nature recovery in Devon.

๐Ÿ Keep an eye out for Asian hornets!๐ŸHave you spotted a particularly dark, slightly smaller-than-our-native-hornet visit...
17/08/2026

๐Ÿ Keep an eye out for Asian hornets!๐Ÿ

Have you spotted a particularly dark, slightly smaller-than-our-native-hornet visitor buzzing around Devon this summer? ๐Ÿ‘€

The Asian hornet (Vespa velutina) is an invasive non-native species and a highly effective predator of insects, including honey bees and other pollinators. It has been recorded in Great Britain since 2016, so keeping an eye out and reporting suspected sightings is an important part of protecting our native wildlife. ๐ŸŒฟ๐Ÿ

๐Ÿ”Ž What should you look for?
โ€ข A dark brown or black, velvety body
โ€ข A mostly dark abdomen with a distinctive yellow-orange band
โ€ข Characteristic yellow tips to the legs
โ€ข Smaller than our native European hornet

They can be spotted around flowering plants, beehives and fallen or fermenting fruit.

โš ๏ธ Think you've seen one? Don't approach or disturb it, and never attempt to tackle a nest yourself. Take a photo from a safe distance and report the sighting as soon as possible through the Asian Hornet Watch app or the GB Non-Native Species Secretariat.

Early detection gives specialists the best chance of responding quickly and protecting Devon's pollinators. ๐Ÿ’š

The Devon Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS) recognises the importance of protecting and restoring healthy, connected habitats for Devon's wildlife. Keeping invasive species at bay is another important part of helping nature recover. See the LNRS Website for more.

๐Ÿ Spot it. Snap it. Report it.

๐ŸŒฑ Friday Fact File! ๐ŸŒฑThere could be more life beneath your feet than you realiseโ€ฆ ๐Ÿ‘€Healthy soil is a bustling ecosystem ...
14/08/2026

๐ŸŒฑ Friday Fact File! ๐ŸŒฑ

There could be more life beneath your feet than you realiseโ€ฆ ๐Ÿ‘€

Healthy soil is a bustling ecosystem in its own right. In Devon, a single square metre of soil can be home to up to 1.5 kg of living organisms โ€“ from microscopic life to fungi, worms and countless tiny invertebrates. ๐Ÿชฑ๐Ÿ„

These underground communities help break down organic matter, cycle nutrients and keep our soils healthy, supporting everything from wildflower meadows and ancient woodlands to the food we grow.

Devon's varied geology and soils also help create the incredible variety of habitats found across the county โ€“ from the wet, acidic peat of Dartmoor to the shallow, calcareous soils of South Devon. ๐ŸŒฟ

Protecting healthy soils is therefore an important part of nature recovery. The Devon Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS) recognises the importance of looking after the whole ecosystem โ€“ including the wildlife we might never see.

So next time you're out for a walk, remember: there's a whole world beneath your boots! ๐ŸŒ

Find out more about Devon's habitats and how the LNRS is helping nature recover across the county at www.naturerecoverydevon.org.uk

๐ŸŒฟ Friday Fact File! ๐ŸŒฟEver heard the phrase "bigger, better and more connected"? It's one of the guiding principles of na...
07/08/2026

๐ŸŒฟ Friday Fact File! ๐ŸŒฟ

Ever heard the phrase "bigger, better and more connected"? It's one of the guiding principles of nature recoveryโ€”and for good reason!

Imagine trying to cross Devon if every road suddenly ended. That's the challenge many species face when habitats become isolated. ๐ŸŒผโžก๏ธ๐ŸŒณ

By creating wildlife-rich "stepping stones" and linking habitats together with features like hedgerows, wildflower verges and woodlands, we can help everything from dormice to butterflies move, feed, breed and adapt to a changing climate.

It's one of the key ideas behind the Devon Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS), which identifies where habitat restoration and connectivity can have the greatest impact for wildlife across the county. Together, these connected habitats also bring wider benefits, including cleaner water, healthier soils, natural flood management and carbon storage. ๐ŸŒ๐Ÿ’š

๐ŸŒฑ Find out how the Devon LNRS is helping create a more connected landscape for people and wildlife alike.

๐ŸŒฟ Got an idea that could help wildlife in your community?The Wild About Devon Community Wildlife Grants 2026 are now ope...
28/07/2026

๐ŸŒฟ Got an idea that could help wildlife in your community?

The Wild About Devon Community Wildlife Grants 2026 are now open! ๐Ÿฆ”๐Ÿ๐ŸŒผ

Whether you're creating a wildflower meadow,๐Ÿชป๐ŸŒธ restoring a pond,๐Ÿธ๐Ÿธ planting native hedgerows ๐ŸŒฟ๐ŸŒณ or bringing your community together to improve spaces for nature, this could be the helping hand your project needs.

This year, the grants of up to ยฃ500 (๐Ÿ‘€๐Ÿ‘€) are proudly supporting the ambitions of the Devon Local Nature Recovery Strategy (DLNRS), helping communities take practical action to create bigger, better and more connected habitats across Devon.

๐Ÿ’š Every project, no matter how small, has the potential to make a lasting difference for wildlifeโ€”and inspire others to do the same.

Ready to turn your idea into action?

๐Ÿ‘‰ Find out more and apply here: https://www.devoncommunities.org.uk/projects/wild-about-devon-community-wildlife-grant-scheme-2025-0


You don't want to 'moss' this one! ๐Ÿ‘€๐ŸŒฟThey may be small, but they're mighty and some of Earth's oldest land plants! ๐ŸŒโณ Br...
17/07/2026

You don't want to 'moss' this one! ๐Ÿ‘€๐ŸŒฟ

They may be small, but they're mighty and some of Earth's oldest land plants! ๐ŸŒโณ

Bryophytes help lock away carbon, retain moisture, provide homes for tiny wildlife, and are excellent indicators of healthy habitats.

Protecting these ancient plants is all part of creating a healthier, more resilient Devon. That's why the Devon Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS) is working to restore and connect habitats where species like these can continue to thrive. ๐Ÿ’š

๐Ÿƒ Find out more about how the strategy is helping nature recover across Devon by visiting LNRS website.

Talk about an un-bee-lievable claim to fame... ๐Ÿ‘€Did you know that Prawle Point is the only place in Britain where you'll...
10/07/2026

Talk about an un-bee-lievable claim to fame... ๐Ÿ‘€

Did you know that Prawle Point is the only place in Britain where you'll find the incredibly rare six-banded nomad bee? โœจ

Despite its stripy appearance, this fascinating bee doesn't collect pollen like most bees. Instead, it's a "cuckoo bee", laying its eggs in the nests of other solitary bees. Nature certainly likes to keep things interesting!

Protecting special places like Prawle Point means protecting the unique species that call them home. That's exactly what the Devon Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS) is all aboutโ€”helping wildlife thrive across Devon, from our coastlines to our countryside. ๐ŸŒฟ

๐Ÿ Bee curious? Visit the LNRS website to discover how to help nature recover across Devon.

๐ŸŒฟ Nature in Devon needs all of us. ๐ŸŒฟHealthy rivers, thriving woodlands, flower-rich meadows and abundant wildlife don't ...
30/06/2026

๐ŸŒฟ Nature in Devon needs all of us. ๐ŸŒฟ

Healthy rivers, thriving woodlands, flower-rich meadows and abundant wildlife don't happen by chanceโ€”they happen when communities, landowners, organisations and individuals work together.

The Devon Local Nature Recovery Strategy brings together the information, priorities and opportunities needed to help nature recover across the county. Whether you're looking to discover projects near you, learn about Devon's incredible species and habitats, or find practical ways to make a difference, there's something for everyone.

๐Ÿ’š Explore the interactive website and see how you can be part of Devon's nature recovery journey.

Together, we can create a healthier, more resilient future for people and wildlife.

๐Ÿ“ฃ Become a Devon LNRS AmbassadorDevon Local Nature Partnership is recruiting a new cohort of Devon Local Nature Recovery...
29/06/2026

๐Ÿ“ฃ Become a Devon LNRS Ambassador

Devon Local Nature Partnership is recruiting a new cohort of Devon Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS) Ambassadors and are looking for enthusiastic volunteers from across the county.
As an Ambassador, youโ€™ll help raise awareness of the Devon LNRS within your community, workplace or network, share information with others, and, if youโ€™d like, represent the strategy at local events and engagement activities.
The role is completely flexible, allowing you to give as much or as little time as you can.
To support new volunteers, they will be running online training sessions via Microsoft Teams:
๐Ÿ“… 15 July, 7:00โ€“8:30pm
๐Ÿ“… 20 July, 12:00โ€“1:30pm

PLEASE NOTE: You only need to sign up to ONE ambassador training.
Interested? Sign up here:
https://buytickets.at/devonlocalnaturepartnership

Help us spread the word and support nature recovery across Devon.

๐ŸŒฟ Why are invasive species such a big deal for Devon's nature?It's not just that they don't belong here โ€” they actively ...
28/06/2026

๐ŸŒฟ Why are invasive species such a big deal for Devon's nature?

It's not just that they don't belong here โ€” they actively cause harm. Non-native invasive species can:

๐ŸŸข Destroy habitats, making them unsuitable for native wildlife
๐ŸŸก Throw ecosystems off balance, weakening resilience to climate change
๐Ÿ”ด Predate our native species
๐Ÿ”ต Spread diseases our native wildlife has no immunity to
๐ŸŸฃ Outcompete native species for food, shelter and space

Devon's wildlife is extraordinary โ€” and it's all connected. When invasive species enter the picture, the whole web is at risk ๐Ÿ•ธ๏ธ

Awareness is the first step. Share this to help spread the word! ๐Ÿ’š

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