Our East Devon National Landscape Farming in Protected Landscapes (FiPL) programme continues to help farmers and landowners support nature across East Devon.

Thanks to FiPL funding, nearly 4500 trees have been planted across Coombe Wood Farm, Salcombe Regis, by National Trust staff/volunteers and members of the local community over a period of 6 days – amounting to 260 hours of planting effort!

The National Trust hosted a series of planting sessions for individuals from neighbouring villages as well as group sessions for the Sidmouth Scouts (involving two different scout sections), East Devon Ramblers, Sidmouth Biodiversity Group and East Devon District Council.

Species planted include oak, rowan, hazel, hawthorn, blackthorn, guelder rose, field maple, wild cherry, wayfaring tree, spindle, dogwood, elder, alder, birch, small leaved lime, hornbeam, alder, willow, beech, and holly.

 Wildlife box installation

Three barn owl boxes and two kestrel boxes were also installed on the farm, facing open rough grassland. The nest boxes were installed by National Trust staff, a student from Bicton college and a member of the local community.

© National Trust Images/Meg Vallender

The Farming in Protected Landscapes programme funds projects that:

• support nature recovery
• mitigate the impacts of climate change.
• provide opportunities for people to discover, enjoy and understand the landscape and its cultural heritage.
• protect or improve the quality and character of the landscape or place.

Find out more: https://www.eastdevon-nl.org.uk/our-work/farming-in-protected-landscapes-fipl