Blackdown Hills National Landscape

Heritage Festival – Blackdown Hills National Landscape – this September. Free events exploring the fascinating history of the Blackdown Hills. Come along to our talks, tours and drop in events. All welcome. https://mailchi.mp/blackdownhills/heritage24

Are you getting involved in the Big Butterfly Count this weekend?

What have you seen in Devon?

Butterfly Conservation

There are still a few spaces on Forestry England's nightjar survey this Friday. If you'd like to come along see link for details.

Step into the Blackdown Hills at dusk for a chance to see and hear one of its most mysterious residents: the nightjar. Join Forestry England ranger for a guided walk where we hope to see and hear these fascinating birds. Booking essential. To reserve your place, please contact [email protected]

Nightjar Survey
Friday 12th July
9pm - 11pm
Staple Common, Blackdown Hills.

Step into the Blackdown Hills at dusk for a chance to see and hear one of its most mysterious residents: the nightjar. Join Forestry England ranger for a guided walk where we hope to see and hear these fascinating birds. Booking essential. To reserve your place, please contact [email protected]

Nightjar Survey
Friday 12th July
9pm - 11pm
Staple Common, Blackdown Hills.

As part of Wellington Film Festival there will be a showing of Six Inches of Soil a British independent full feature documentary shining a spotlight on soil health and regenerative farming. It tells the inspiring story of young British farmers standing up against the industrial food system and transforming the way they produce food – to heal the soil, our health and provide for local communities. The aims of the film are to sound the alarm on a broken system, but to also give hope that there is a way to fix it; to inspire farmers to adopt agro-ecological and regenerative farming practices; and to encourage consumers, food corporations and policymakers to support their efforts.

Six Inches of Soil and the short films about Wellington’s own moves towards more sustainable horticulture and agriculture will be followed by an expert panel discussion with an audience Q & A. The panel guests will include Eddie Bailey, who describes his work as where “no-dig meets the microbes”. Eddie is a regular consultant to River Cottage and won a major award at last summer’s Hampton Court Garden Festival. He’ll be joined by Sally Nex, an author and broadcaster on sustainable gardening, and Wellington’s own Hellen Gillingham, the guiding hand behind the town’s forest garden at Fox's Field – which will feature in one of the short films making up the event.

For details see:

https://www.somersetfilm.com/whats-on/wellington-film-festival-six-inches-of-soil

We had a fabulous turn out to our Connecting the Culm forum #6 last night. A huge thank you to all our speakers and organisers and everyone who came to join in the discussion.

Also a big shout out to Cullompton Community Centre - your impeccable organisation, seamless AV and fantastic refreshments were very much appreciated - what a great venue!

To find out more about our work in the River Culm catchment go to https://connectingtheculm.com/

Devon Prepared - Whole Society Resilience Forum A full day exploring what it means to be a resilient community and how we can all work together to achieve Whole Society Resilience

Need something fixing? Blackdown Hills Repair Cafe is on a week tomorrow!

As spring final kicks off, it's time to clear out the shed and pull together everything that needs fixing. Saturday 23rd March 10am - 1pm, Hemyock Village Hall. We have experts in:

Bicycle repair
Electricals
Tool fixing and sharpening
Textiles
Sewing machines
Clocks
Furniture
And lots of other areas.

Let's not forget the lovely supply of cake, in a warm space, with a nice cup of tea, and lots of company. See you there!

Join the Saving Devon's Treescapes team for a tree planting day at Troakes Farm (between Hemyock and Upottery in the Blackdown Hills) this Friday - all welcome. Book your place here:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/tree-planting-day-blackdown-hills-tickets-823809525467

Devon County Council is currently advertising for a Nature Recovery Communications and Engagement Officer (through the University Exeter intern scheme) to help develop the Devon Local Nature Recovery Strategy and support communications for Devon Local Nature Partnership. It is a really exciting opportunity for a recent graduate with a passion for communication and nature. Deadline Sunday 25 February.

404: Not Found

Join Somerset Wildlife Trust for a wellbeing walk this Thursday at Wellington Monument.

Wellbeing Walk with Somerset Wildlife Trust and the National Trust A guided wellbeing walk at the Wellington Monument *FREE EVENT*

Would you like to help shape Somerset's Local Nature Recovery Strategy? Take part in Somerset Council's survey - details below:

We’ve launched a public survey to hear your views on Somerset’s Local Nature Recovery Strategy. To take part go to: https://orlo.uk/T3527

https://blackdownhillsaonb.org.uk/event/seasonal-celebration-satori-healing-retreat/

Seasonal Celebration @ Satori Healing Retreat - Blackdown Hills AONB Seasonal celebration - craft and wellbeing practices *FREE EVENT*

https://blackdownhillsaonb.org.uk/event/little-breach-butterfly-conservation-reserve/ Please note the date has been amended.

Little Breach - Butterfly Conservation Reserve - Blackdown Hills AONB Practical conservation task at Butterfly Conservation reserve, Little Breach.

Are you able to help Butterfly Conservation with a practical task session?

Little Breach - Butterfly Conservation Reserve - Blackdown Hills AONB Practical conservation task at Butterfly Conservation reserve, Little Breach.

Fancy a Fungi Foray this autumn? Book your place at one of Quantock Nature's events in the Blackdown Hills and go forth in search of mushrooms! https://blackdownhillsaonb.org.uk/events/category/fungi-forays/

We are looking for a volunteer to help monitor crayfish in Hunkin Wood this Thursday 5th October 1pm and again on Friday 6th October at 11am. Please email James for more information if you're able to help: [email protected]

https://blackdownhillsaonb.org.uk/event/fungal-foray-3/

Fungal Foray - Kilmington - Blackdown Hills AONB Search for mushrooms and toadstools, learn how to identify them and discuss their ecology with Quantock Nature.

Have your say on the future of the Blackdown Hills - complete our survey

Have your say on the future of the Blackdown Hills To help us prepare our next plan for the period 2025-2030, we would be grateful if you could spare a few minutes to fill in a questionnaire.  Your views and knowledge will help us to focus our work on how we can all help protect and enhance the special qualities of the area while meeting future ch...

Are you able to lend a hand? Next session is Tuesday 11th July

Himalayan Balsam bash. Help pull up this invasive species and protect our waterways and biodiversity.
Sunday 2nd July
Meeting 10am at Culmstock Bridge
Bring gloves and sturdy footwear

If you plan to apply for the role of finance and office senior administrator, the deadline is next Friday 30 June. https://www.devonjobs.gov.uk/job/Finance%20%26%20Office%20Senior%20Administrator%20(Ref%204977)/

Would you like to join the team at Blackdown Hills AONB? We currently have a vacancy for a finance and office senior administrator. Details here: https://www.devonjobs.gov.uk/job/Finance%20%26%20Office%20Senior%20Administrator%20(Ref%204977)/