20 young people from the BTCV (British Trust for Conservation Volunteers) have received a £200 funding boost from GreenPrints to carry out a range of practical conservation tasks at Dartington Hall Estate this weekend (Saturday 19th– Sunday 20th January 2008).
The volunteers, who are aged 16-25, are from Plymouth, West Devon & South East Cornwall. On the Saturday they will be working in 15-year-old woodland on the Dartington Estate, clearing bramble, coppicing hazel and small tree felling in order to improve the woodland’s structure. On the Sunday the volunteers will be using the logs and brash, collected from Saturday, to construct an otter holt at Berryman’s Marsh.
Tom Stevens Dartington’s Woodlands and Conservation Manager said, “The Dartington estate is the perfect place for outdoor education initiatives, such as habitat management and sustainable land use. The BTCV volunteers will be learning vital conservation skills, while helping us to secure and improve the habitat for our resident otters and develop a broadleaf woodland that will act as an important wildlife corridor.”
Otters have experienced a serious decline in numbers, mainly because their habitats are under continuous threat from the building of roads, agriculture and the loss of previously undisturbed riverbank systems. By building an otter holt, the volunteers will be providing a sanctuary for the otters to live undisturbed.
Emily Cannon from BTCV said “Everyone is very excited about the weekend! Not only will the young people learn about woodland management techniques and how to develop habitats specifically for wildlife in a beautiful part of Devon, but will also get the chance to live & cook together, meet new people and work as a team.”
There will be a photo opportunity on either of the days whilst we are working at Dartington Hall Estate. We will be working between 10.30am – 4.30pm on both days, but an ideal time for photos would probably be between 11.30am – 3.30pm.
For more information please contact Emily Cannon – 07740 899655
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The Dartington Hall Trust is a registered charity no. 279756. Company no. 1485560. Registered Office: The Elmhirst Centre, Dartington Hall, Totnes, Devon TQ9 6EL United Kingdom. Telephone 01803 847000; Fax 01803 847007;