Devon Wildlife Trust meeting

Jenni recently attended a DWT meeting, read more to see what was discussed.

‘The Torridge Headwaters Facilitation Fund Project advisors and core farmer group met on the 11^th of January 2017 to discuss how to develop the project and review progress to date. It was a valuable opportunity for the new project officer, Matt Holden, to provide an overview of the project and to receive valuable advice from the partners and farmers in attendance. With advice ranging from workshops on marsh fritillary with Butterfly Conservation to woodland management plans with the Forestry Commission and discussion surrounding what topics to prioritise in such a diverse area, there was lots of food for thought.

The group now has 70 farmer members, covering an area of 5259ha in the headwaters project area. It held 19 workshops/meetings in 2016, attended by 160 people (87 members) and is looking to expand the topics covered in 2017. A 2017 programme of events has been drafted and over the coming months will be discussed with the landowner group to confirm that the topics are of interest and value to members and will help support farming in the area which protects and enhances wildlife, water quality and the landscape. The meeting attendees were in support of the proposed programme which has a mixed range of workshops and talks covering topics from protecting pollinators on farmland through to reducing worm burden through grazing and sward management.’