The Biosphere Team recently spent a busy day coppicing on the Tarka Trail with members of local partner organisations, conservationists and dedicated volunteers.
This year we were joined by colleagues Devon Wildlife Trust, Westcountry Rivers Trust, The Biosphere Foundation, National Trust, Northam Burrows Country Park and the North Devon AONB to name a few. As a thank you for all their hard work a festive BBQ and hot drinks were provided.
The photo on the left is the 'before' shot. You can clearly see that this area was in need of coppicing. The many leaves covering the Trail makes the surface slippery and can really damage the tarmac by staying permanently wet.
This year we were joined by colleagues Devon Wildlife Trust, Westcountry Rivers Trust, The Biosphere Foundation, National Trust, Northam Burrows Country Park and the North Devon AONB to name a few. As a thank you for all their hard work a festive BBQ and hot drinks were provided.
The photo on the left is the 'before' shot. You can clearly see that this area was in need of coppicing. The many leaves covering the Trail makes the surface slippery and can really damage the tarmac by staying permanently wet.
Coppicing is highly effective way of managing woodlands and has greatly influenced our British woodlands. The reasons we coppice are much more than just preserving the surface of the Trail for cyclists and walkers. The increased light reaching the embankments will allow wild flowers and wildlife to thrive.
This photo below is of the area that was coppiced in 2016 and it really shows how much clearer the surface is.
This photo below is of the area that was coppiced in 2016 and it really shows how much clearer the surface is.