Contact us at: countryside@eastdevon.gov.uk or tel 01395 517557

What we do

The Countryside team manages ten Nature Reserves across East Devon. These are open to the public at all times and are free to visit. For detailed information follow the Local Nature Reserves link.

The Countryside team runs lots of wildlife themed events, most of which are free. There are also various Wildlife Training days for those wishing to develop their knowledge further in a specific area of environmental conservation.

LATEST NEWS - The Reptile Ramble at Fire Beacon Hill on Thursday June 20th at 9am has been cancelled due to yellow weather warnings for heavy rain issued by the Met Office for Thursday - unsuitable conditions for both reptiles and people.

The next Reptile Rambles are at Trinity Hill on Saturday July 6th and Fire Beacon Hill on Wednesday July 31st.

The Bug Hunt planned at Delderfield Community Nature Reserve, Sidmouth for 2pm Thursday 20th June will be reviewed on Thursday morning so please check this page for an update.

Our Events Guide for spring and summer 2013 is now available  - to make it easier to download we have split it into sections:

 Click here for J (2783KB Portable Document Format - 19 March 2013 - PDF Help) une - July events (2783KB Portable Document Format - 19 March 2013 - PDF Help)

 Click here for August - September events (2642KB Portable Document Format - 19 March 2013 - PDF Help)

You can also pick up hard copies of the guide at your local library, Tourist Information centre or in selected shops and garden centres. The Events Guide this time features walks, talks and events across East Devon organised not only by the East Devon District Council Countryside team but also by our many partners who work with us to provide an outstanding environment for wildlife and people.

For more information or to book, please call 01395 517557 or email Countryside@eastdevon.gov.uk

PLEASE NOTE -

Mike Langman, formerly illustrator for the RSPB, will be leading the Advanced Bird ID Training Day on Saturday September 7th, and not Andy Swash, as advertised in the Events Guide.

The Wildlife Training Day on Dragonflies which was postponed in May due to cold wet weather (so no dragonflies out and about) will now take place on Sunday August 4th .There are still a few places left - to book please call us on 01395 517557 or email Countryside@eastdevon.gov.uk.

The Axe Estuary Wetlands is rapidly becoming one of the south-west's premier wetland sites and is good for all sorts of wildlife, most obviously birds but also many small mammals, bats, dragonflies, damselflies and other insects, including the recently discovered 13-spot ladybird. This reserve is being developed so that visitors can get close to wildlife and has many hides and viewing platforms to help visitors experience good views without causing disturbance. The  leaflet (1132KB Portable Document Format - 16 November 2012 - PDF Help) shows all five hides and parking facilities and details the routes which are suitable for people with limited mobility or using wheelchairs.

The Countryside Service publishes a regular newsletter. The  Spring 2013 (8536KB Portable Document Format - 18 April 2013 - PDF Help) issue gives a round up of what's been happening on the local nature reserves and within the Countryside Team recently.

If you are interested in volunteering, the booklet  Volunteering for the Countryside Service (2427KB Portable Document Format - 18 April 2013 - PDF Help) shows how you can get involved - from becoming a Volunteer Warden to helping out at the Wet and Wild Weekend to constructing boardwalks with the Axe Estuary Wetlands Volunteer group.

As well as running the public events, the Education Rangers run a free service to schools who would like to arrange a visit to the Axe Estuary Wetlands. The Education Rangers can also provide low-cost visits to either the Wetlands, one of the other nature reserves or a rockpooling session for schools, clubs and community groups.