Information

To work in partnership with East Devon District Council Countryside Team, Devon County Council and English Nature to develop a district wide Biodiversity Action Plan.  The following have been identified as potential targets:

Habitat targets - lowland heath, species rich hedgerows and estuaries (district wide) and broadleaf woodland, neutral grassland, calcareous grassland and spring-line mires (AONB)

Species targets - great crested newt, bats, water voles and heath lobelia

To work in partnership with Devon County Council's Biodiveristy Officer to pilot an advisory service for County Wildlife Site management, to include the opportunity for site owners to have a walk around their site with an ecologist and the provision of a detailed map of the site.

To develop a hedge initiative to promote active conservation and awareness of this important landscape and biodiversity feature of the AONB.

During Devon Hedge Week in October 2004, a walk and hedge laying demonstration took place at Blacklake Farm, a Soil Association organic demonstration farm at East Hill, near Ottery St Mary.

To celebrate the 40th anniversary of the AONB designation in East Devon, all of the parishes within the AONB will be offered an oak tree and commemorative plaque. In addition, 200 smaller oak trees will be planted around the parishes to help enhance the landscape.

To continue to implement the improvement programme to the East Devon Way and develop parameters for integrated promotion and monitoring in partnership with the East Devon District Council Countryside Ranger, who undertakes practical improvements and Devon County Council, who are responsible for maintenance and regional route promotion.

To monitor the recreational use of key sites in the AONB including the South West Coast Path and the East Devon Way.  Using existing equipment and qualitative surveys, date will be collected and analysed to help to determine future types of interpretation.

To continue to operate and promote the discretionary small grant scheme aimed at supporting projects that conserve, enhance and celebrate the diversity and character of the East Devon AONB.

Click here for further details of the Community Project Fund and the Community Project Fund leaflet.

On-going management and improvement of the South West Coast Path and the development of an integrated management plan for the coastal corridor, focussing on a detailed survey, an assessment of maintenance issues and an access audit of routes in the coastal corridor. This is achieved in conjunction with the East Devon District Council Countryside Ranger, who undertakes practical improvements or maintenance and Devon County Council/South West Coast Path team, who are responsible for regional route promotion.

To investigate demand for and perceptions of a rural advice and signpost service in East Devon.

To implement priorities from the AONB Interpretation and Communication Strategy:

Production of AONB leaflet

Audit of interpretation in the AONB

Design brief for all AONB led interpretation