WOODLAND owners have been receiving advice on how to maximise the potential of their land as the latest part of the Taw River Improvement Project.

The project, TRIP, aims to improve the health of the vital river ecosystem through targeted habitat management work, and by reducing the amount of pollution entering the river.

The woodland focus event in Chulmleigh recently attracted 30 participants, with attendees learning about opportunities for creating new woodland alongside water courses, and discussed other aspects of woodland management.

Dave Rickwood from the Woodland Trust described how woodland buffer strips can help to absorb run-off from agricultural fields and alleviate flooding. Other specialists highlighted the value of mixed woodland to biodiversity, the importance of deer and squirrel management, and how woods can contribute to farm income.

Host Mike Moser led an informative stroll through woodland at West Week Farm discussing the options and challenges he had encountered.

Jane Hart from the Silvanus Trust, declared the afternoon a great success.

She said: 'It has been wonderful to see so many local people meeting up with each other, enjoying the beautiful surroundings and discussing their thoughts on woodland in a relaxed and informal atmosphere.'

TRIP is an Environment Agency funded partnership project led by the North Devon Biosphere Reserve and West Country Rivers Trust and provides advisory farm and woodland visits, measures to improve fish migrations and potential grants for water-course fencing and other management. 

The event was also part of a week of activities supporting Grown in Britain, a new national initiative to bring together everyone who values our forests, woods and trees and the products they produce.