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19 May 2019 - Spring Woodland Festival. I went along to this event to support my colleagues at DNPA but also learn more myself about the Dartmoor Story. I've never been to Yarner Woods so this was also a bonus! I had great fun looking at all the wildlife, moths, bats, ants, butterflies and met the various experts who clearly had great passion for their respective creatures. The volunteers who survey tin mines were so knowledgeable and spent ages showing me the maps and referencing they do. The music was enjoyable and the food and cakes provided by the local 1st Liverton Scouts was yummy :o)

We walked through Glen More and on the way learned about the tree regeneration in the area and how they fenced off areas of land to prevent the deer from eating the saplings.

With our soil samples, we could determine what we needed to begin a sculptural wall or bench in cob. Digging, sifting, mixing and sculpting, we took part in an ancient tradition involving teamwork and no machinery. We are beginning to discover what it means to be a part of a conserver culture where we are resourceful and use all that we create without leaving behind any rubbish.

We sailed from Fionnphort to Port Ban on Iona, when we landed on the beach, we had lunch then split in to 2 groups. 1 group climbed a cliff that was on the beach the other group recorded the different flowers that grew next to the cliff, and played flower Pictionary in the sand. Before we left we had a quick beach clean picking up what rubbish we could, and the sailing back.

I went to Tiroran forest to survey certain areas where new trees where growing, to count the amount of pine weevils found on the saplings. This is very important because if there is lots of pine weevils they can kill the saplings devastating the wildlife.

I went to a local rocky beach to do a seaweed survey, to record the different types of seaweed and how much there was of it. I then uploaded it to a website which keeps track of the wildlife by doing surveys

Walking around the site, exploring and discovering the habitats and wildlife. Himalayan Balsam and it's beautiful, pink flower. The result of everyone's hard work after pulling up the balasam!