Research |
Learning |
Learning Resources |
Reports |
|
Research is one of the key functions for any Biosphere Reserve. We need to make informed decisions so understanding as much as we can about everything from environmental processes to social behaviour is vital.
We are fortunate to have the focused interest of University of Exeter, University of Plymouth and the North Wyke Research base as part of Rothamstead Research all working in our area. We frequently work with undergraduate, Masters and PhD programmes. If you are interested in a research topic you want to carry out in the area, please do contact us. |
|
|
Learning is one of the three core functions of North Devon's Biosphere Reserve as understanding is a key part of the journey towards more sustainable decisions at village, ecosystem, biosphere and international scales.
It is not just about schools, or children; it is about offering opportunities for everyone to develop their understanding in a way appropriate to their needs, interests and background. It extends beyond schools to include interpretation (for example at museums) and other activities such as evening classes or hands-on volunteer activities. The Biosphere partnership contributes to all of these areas by developing/sharing resources, supporting projects and providing experience and opportunities, especially for outdoor learning. 
|
Our learning strategy
Active and recent learning projectsLearning ResourcesFrom activities outside the classroom to a giant inflatable dome for outside events - The Biosphere has produced and assembled many learning resources available to teachers and other learners
Transforming Outdoor Learning in Schools – Lessons from the Natural Connections Demonstration Project, has been published. It features teachers and pupils across the project talking about the benefits the project brought to their school, alongside practical advice on how teachers can successfully embed outdoor learning in their school.
| ||||
|
There are a number of education resources that support learning in the Biosphere Reserve. These a brief summaries. Follow the links (green) to find out more and to request copies.
The environment itself - this is the very best resource as we need to get more people outside and reconnecting with nature. Why? Check out the video from Project Wild Thing Biosphere Resources
People and Environment - Developed by Devon Curriculum Services in partnership with teachers and pupils, this is a suite of learning and teaching materials for primary schools focused on North Devon's Biosphere Reserve - its past, present and future.
Nature Works - Developed through the northern Devon Nature Improvement Area project this teacher's pack contains a scheme of work with 3 lines of enquiry, plus a resources section full of materials to help support your work in schools. The pack is aimed at KS1 & 2 with ideas suitable for work at KS3 and upwards. The pack is available on CD and has been sent out to schools within or near the NIA.
3Cs - Coppice, Charcoal, Create - a Learning Pack has been produced by project partners Courage Copse Creatives. The pack can be used as a standalone educational resource aiming to inspire activities to support the curriculum including Forest School, design and technology, art and living history Other resourcesHedgeucation - A leaflet with some simple activities for children related to Devon hedges. Hedgerow bingo, food web game, scavenger hunt, hedge sounds, hedge postcards. There are also activities linked to science, geography, English language, art and history within the National Primary Curriculum. Leaflet produced with support from DCC, English Nature and Defra.
Ten Lines of Enquiry - Learning tools for subjects such as history, geography, science and art based on Devon's hedgerow heritage . Each of the ten 'lines of enquiry' has a ‘Scheme of Work' with curriculum linked learning objectives; a suggested step by step process through the topic; and opportunities for progression. These learning resources are targeted primarily at children at Key Stage 2 (aged 7 to 11).
|
Our Commonwealth Ocean Pack
Defra’s bespoke education pack for teachers Biosphere Dome and Trailer
The Biosphere Dome and trailer provide excellent covered outdoor space for field activities. They are available to hire for free from the North Devon Biosphere Foundation
Project Wild ThingGiants in the Forest
Giants in the Forest - Creative writing inspired by the natural environment of the River Torridge where three giant wicker heads sewn with native plants look down over the river and the Tarka Trail near Torrington. Teachers notes and examples of children's writing from 2012.
Kew gardens' Great plant HuntThe Great Plant Hunt - The Great Plant Hunt develops children's understanding of the natural world and is an ideal free resource to help you teach the primary science curriculum from year 1 to year 6. A plethora of online and downloadable resources for teachers and children developed by the Wellcome Trust and Kew Gardens.
OPAL – the open air laboratories project. This is a national project that has developed a whole series of citizen science resources to help school children and adults do real scientific studies where the data they collect counts towards building a national as well as local understanding. Try out their surveys on air pollution, hedge biodiversity, the creatures of your pond and many others
| ||||
Active research projects
- Biosphere Energy Plan
- Periodic Report
- VALMER (Valuing marine ecosystem services)
More-Than-Human Participatory Research
We were approached by the More-Than-Human team and were able to show them the River Torridge from source to sea. This is the video of their water workshop.
We were approached by the More-Than-Human team and were able to show them the River Torridge from source to sea. This is the video of their water workshop.
| Himalayan balsam in the Biosphere report 2016 |
Himalayan balsam is an alien invasive species. This research report shows the confirmed distribution of the plant in 2016 and estimates some of the challenges and costs associated with its management.
| Upper Taw invasive Species Feb 2016 |
The Upper Taw waterbody is known to have Himalayan Balsam and Japanese Knotweed present. Both these plants are invasive, non-native, species that out-compete native flora and die back in the winter to leave vulnerable bare earth river banks exposed to winter flows and high levels of erosion. BBSRC funded research carried out by Rothamsted Research (North Wyke) and the Westcountry Rivers Trust.
| Assessment of historic change in the culm - October-2014 |
This Devon Wildlife Trust report describes the state of the culm grassland resource as it is in 2014 and the issues that currently face it. It draws on studies carried by experts from Exeter University into the economics of the area in 2006 and 2010, as well as work carried out as part of the DWT “The Land between the Moors” project. Natural England have provided data on the uptake of Agri-environment schemes in 2004 and 2013/4.
| The economic value of culm grassland_April 2015 |
The first ever analysis of the financial values of Culm grassland. Led by Devon Wildlife Trust, and funded through The Wildlife Trusts’ Strategic Development Fund, the research was carried out by a project team from Montgomeryshire Wildlife Trust, the University of Exeter, the Environment Agency and South West Water and an independent consultant and expert in the field of economic evaluation of ecosystems.
| Understanding the hydrology of culm grasslands |
Part of an ongoing research project led by the University of Exeter, the Environment Agency and the Devon Wildlife Trust, aimed at increasing understanding of the role played by Culm grasslands in the provision of key ecosystem services. This report has been supported by the Environment Agency, the Higher Education Innovation Fund and the Northern Devon Nature Improvement Area programme,supported by Defra, DCLG, Environment Agency, Forestry Commission and Natural England.
| Impact of culm grasslands upon water and soil quality - 2015 |
Part of an ongoing research project led by the University of Exeter, the Environment Agency and the Devon Wildlife Trust, aimed at increasing understanding of the role played by Culm grasslands in the provision of key ecosystem services. This report has been supported by the Environment Agency, the Higher Education Innovation Fund and the Northern Devon Nature Improvement Area programme,supported by Defra, DCLG, Environment Agency, Forestry Commission and Natural England.
| Remote Sensing of Woodfuel Stocks. North Devon Biosphere, SEACS, 2014 |
| Forest stock in the NDBiosphere. Forestry Commission. 2014 |
| Braunton Marsh Management Study |
| Saballeria Survey Report 2009 - Emily LeBarth |
| Winkleigh Carbon reduction Report |
| Winkleigh Carbon Reduction Report - Executive Summary |
| Managing Hedges for Firewood - Rob Wolton |
| Taw Torridge and Approaches Coastal Evolution Study - Prof. John Pethick |