Biosphere Action Week

Biosphere Action Week 2011 - Saturday 15th October to Sunday 23rd October.

More than 200 people took part in community activities themed on woods and trees and their value to the Biosphere Reserve. The activities were varied and located right across the Biosphere Reserve area.

 

Date	Activity
Throughout the Week	What is your favourite 'Biosphere Tree'. Take a photo and share it using the free and no-login MyBiosphere website. Oak Tree - a favourite for the Future Charlotte & Christina Woollacott planting an Oak Tree at Rose Ash Also, throughout the week, children from Caen School in Braunton used Biosphere Action Week as a spur to learn more about woods in class, to visit local woodlands and make a giant tapestry. A brilliant Biosphere Week – thank you everyone! The last week before Half-Term was very productive in terms of engagement and for everyone at the School. It was so good that we want to establish outdoor learning as part of our distinctive character as a School. We are very grateful to Mrs Robinson for her excellent work in planning brilliant opportunities in Biosphere Week – KS2 enjoyed Spreacombe Wood adventures and Mrs Robinson really provided an outstanding outdoor classroom for us and gave Teachers lots of ideas for activities. KS1 visited the Beacon for their woodland experience which was also a very good experience (see KS1 for display). We had quizzes and talks thanks to collaboration with the Countryside Centre. We also had an artist in residence and links to the Elliott Gallery. I have been delighted to see our Textiles & Art project developing. Mrs Crutchfield, Head Teacher, Caen primary School.
Saturday 15th  October	From tree to barbecue the sustainable way. 6 people took part in a charcoal making workshop at the Bulworthy Project in Rackenford. Here, willow is stripped before being tightly packed into metal canisters and placed in the kiln to make artist's charcoal sticks.
Sunday 16th October	7 people learned the rural craft of spoon carving at Yarde Cafealongside the Tarka Trail.
Sunday 16th October	15 children had a day of forest fun in Ford Woods Local Nature Reserve in Bideford. Led by forest school leader Louise Rands-Silva, they searched for woodland produce and creatures, made their own leaf bugs and built cosy bug hotels.
Monday 17th October	Half a dozen people had a tour of Devon Wildlife Trust's Upacott Wood Nature Reserve near Barnstaple and learned more about and how it is managed to provide suitable habitat for its wonderful wildlife.
Thursday 20th October	A similar tour took place at the Trust's Halsdon Nature Reserve near Beaford.
Thursday 20th October	5 fruit trees were planted at Pathfield school's new forest schools site in Barnstaple. More than 150 trees bought by the Biosphere team will be planted later this year with pupils and parents from the school. This wonderful site will bring the wonders of woodland into the town and enliven the learning experience of many hundreds of children.
Friday 21st October	6 people from the local area joined Biosphere and North Devon Council staff to build and install bird boxes at Hillsborough Local Nature Reserve, near Ilfracombe. This activity is one of many over the last year that have helped reveal the archaeological interest at the site and generate interest in its long-term future.
Saturday 22nd October	The value of woods and trees. More than 200 people explored the value of trees through art activities on Barnstaple Town Square. Organised by volunteers from RANE (Research in Art Nature & Environment) of the University of Falmouth and supported by Beaford Arts, families could make woodland masks and head dresses, learn about how trees bind carbon and help prevent global warming and take a bag of charcoal home with them in the process, discover the wonderful variety of apples, leave their woodland wishes on the memory tree much more.
Sunday 23rd October	25 to 30 people guided by Dr Mike Moser, the owner of West Week Woods, split hazel, made clothes pegs and built and installed nest boxes on on a gorgeous sunny day.
Sunday 23rd October	7 enthusiastic people took part in a hedge laying workshop at Croyde led by Tom Hynes from the Biosphere team and now have the knowledge to attempt this rural skill themselves Test Link
Friday 15 November	More than a dozen boys from Marland School planted 170 trees in the school grounds. The boys planted, pruned, mulched and installed tree guards with Matt Edworthy and Tom Hynes from the Biosphere Team. Thanks to all the boys and staff of Marland school for their contribution to Biosphere Action Week, even though it was in November!!

Contact Matt Edworthy:  biosphere-mailbox@devon.gov.uk  01237 423655

Previous Biosphere Action Weeks

 

2010 was International Year of Biodiversity and people all over the world took action to help wildlife. Biosphere Action Week 2010, our first, was a great success and communities from across the Biosphere supported that global effort through unique and local projects and activities.

From planting trees to putting up bird boxes, to enhancing schools grounds for wildlife and surveying local ponds to see what wildlife was living in them, Biosphere Action Week involved more than 150 people who did their bit for nature.

 

Winkleigh Biodiversity Group - Surveying and improving the wildlife value of the pond at Winkleigh Primary School as part of a wider survey programme. 30th September. Bideford Sustainability Group - A talk in Bideford on improving gardens for bees together with a bee box building workshop. 25th September. Hartland Penninsular Association - Nestbox workshop.Tuesday 28th September. West Week Farm, Chulmleigh - restoration and replacement of  100 bird boxes. WINGS Community Group, Bideford - Creating a wildlflower meadow and improving a pond. 30th September. Gaia Trust - Bird  hide building (over 3 days, Sat 25th Sept - to Wed 29th Sept)at Home Farm Marsh near Yelland. Atherington Farm - Wildlife survey - 25th September. Caen School, Braunton - Creation of a reduced size sand dune habitat in the school grounds with children and parents.  Throughout the week West Down School - Biodiversity afternoon with the children to start a wildflower/insect garden plus building insect, bird and bat boxes Biosphere Action Week was supported by the North Devon AONB and Biosphere Service who gave practical guidance to help get projects off the ground and ensure that they are good for wildlife and bring long-term benefits and small grants for suitable projects.

North Devon is a "World Class" place to live. It is what we do that will keep it that way.