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Volunteers gets hands-on to restore picnic site in Ottery St Mary

East Devon Conservation, Devon County Council and the RSPB worked together at White Cross picnic area

Volunteers improve White Cross picnic area so people can spot rare species

Twenty-eight volunteers from three organisations, the RSPB, Devon County Council and East Devon District Council - have spruced up  White Cross picnic area near Ottery St Mary. It's now not just better for picnickers, but also for rare species of animals like the ground nesting ajars, adders and butterflies which live there. The area has stunning views over the East Devon countryside and towards Dartmoor.

It's just one of a series of beauty spots and nature reserves that Devon County council has worked on to make them more enjoyable for all, and extends the work already being carried out by East Devon and the RSPB at Fire Beacon Hill local nature reserve.

It took just a day (or 28 person-days) to restore the area - but they did get cake to keep them going. Councillor Tom Wright from East Devon District Council says: "By working together, [the three partners] were able to make a positive impact to the site for threatened wildlife. The site is owned by Devon County Council but managed by East Devon’s Countryside team, White Cross picnic site, is a great starting point for walks, as well as being an important part of East Devon’s natural heritage so it is vitally important for it to be restored, not only for the animals but for tourists in the summer months".

The East Devon District Council Countryside team manages ten nature reserves across the district. If you are interested in volunteering, contact  countryside@eastdevon.gov.uk or call 01395 517557.
 

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