The River of Life: Family fun in the sun

Winding its way downstream from East Dartmoor, the River Bovey and all the life within it flows through Parke, where this week’s River of Life picnic was held. Glorious sunshine welcomed families who strolled in to join Moor than meets the eye and Woodland Trust rangers. Greeted by more of the team from Natural England and the National Trust, adults and children alike were drawn into a plethora of activities. One group headed off river dipping, where Fred from the National Trust showed everyoneRead more

Muir on the Moor: Forest School for College Students

“When we try to pick out anything by itself, we find it hitched to everything else in the Universe.” – John Muir Exeter College Apex students recently discovered, debated, tested and explored this concept in great detail when they embarked on a programme of Forest School sessions. Having already been volunteering and gaining work experience at East Dartmoor over the winter, they decided to look at the Reserve in greater depth and take on new and exciting challenges. The JohnRead more

Who’s been eating my holly?

At the East Dartmoor Woods and Heaths National Nature Reserve we have a lively herd of 14 Dartmoor ponies that we heavily rely on to help us with the management of the land. Their names are Magpie, Star, Big Nose, Pignut, Tanzy, Curlew, Swift, Merlin, Karen, Kate Bush, Marmaduke, Monty, Bert and Midnight. This lovely bunch live on the Reserve; 6 within Yarner Wood and the other 8 currently in our fields. They’ve recently returned from their annual Dawlish winter holiday,Read more

Just another heritage lottery funded training programme…?

Here at East Dartmoor, we are looking for four fresh faces to join the team for a year-long structured training programme. The 22nd February deadline for applications is looming, so why should you put in an application? Isn’t this just another heritage lottery funded training programme? Absolutely not. And here’s why, from the perspective of those who’ve been put through their paces for the last yearRead more