Our approach

The North Devon Biosphere works to a catchment based approach. The two main river catchments that determine the boundary of the biosphere are the Taw and Torridge catchments, the biosphere also includes the north devon streams that drain straight into the Bristol Channel.  

What is a catchment based approach?
"A healthy water environment means better places to live, where people and wildlife flourish. The Catchment Based Approach (CaBA) embeds collaborative working at a river catchment scale, delivering a range of environmental, social and economic benefits and protecting our precious water environments for the benefit of us all." 

North Devon Catchment Partnership

The North Devon Biosphere works to support the North Devon Catchment partnership (NDCP), which co-ordinates and promotes action for healthy rivers and streams across the whole of North Devon. It covers the River Taw and Torridge catchments, Hartland, Clovelly and Exmoor streams. 

NDCP is hosted by Devon Wildlife Trust and supported by the North Devon Biosphere. NDCP has adopted the Wetlands and Waterbodies Action Plan from the North Devon Biosphere Reserve Nature Recovery Plan 2021-25. 

More information about the North Devon Catchment Partnership
Contact the North Devon Catchment Partnership

Current initiatives

Our land based projects are all catchment-based, often focusing on small water body catchments. We're working with landowners to identify interventions to improve water quality, flood resilience and data collection.

Devon Resilience Innovation Project (DRIP)

DRIP is a partnership project coordinated by Devon County Council. The North Devon Biosphere has been working in the Little Dart and Umber Catchments enabling the delivery of natural flood management interventions and water sensing technologies in the catchments.  

Coordinated response for Intertidal Taw Torridge Estuary restoration (CRITTER)

CRITTER is funded by the Environment Agency Water Environment Improvement Fund (WEIF) from 2021 to 2027 with an aim to improve the water quality and biodiversity within the Taw Torridge Estuary. 

The Taw Torridge Estuary is the heart of the North Devon Biosphere. Affected by the upstream water bodies, it is designated as a Heavily Modified Water Body and is failing water framework directive targets due to high levels of nitrates, phosphorus and sediments in the water.  

SMART BIOSPHERE

The Smart Biosphere initiative harnesses the power of digital technology and data science to monitor and manage the Biosphere more effectively. Using a network of sensors, satellite data, and AI-powered analytics, the project provides real-time insights into environmental conditions, land use, and ecosystem health.
This cutting-edge approach supports:
•    Early warning systems for flooding and pollution
•    Monitoring of carbon sequestration and biodiversity
•    Community engagement through accessible data platforms

The Smart Biosphere is a key step toward a more connected, responsive, and resilient landscape. Find out more.

Devon Woods

The flagship Devon Woods project is a landscape-scale nature recovery programme focused on expanding and improving woodland, hedgerow, and orchard habitats across the Biosphere.