Salcombe Ecology Network

To find out more about the Salcombe Ecology Network and the broader conservation efforts in East Devon, you should look at the websites of the specific organizations mentioned in your working papers. These groups collaborate to manage the 11 sites and the "Green Highway" project.

Here are the key websites to explore:

1. The National Trust (Sidmouth & East Devon)

Since the National Trust is the primary landowner for much of the coastal strip and Salcombe Hill, their site provides details on their 20-year "Heaths to Sea" vision. Look for their "Landscapes for Life" or "Nature Recovery" sections.

• What to look for: Details on the "No-Fence" grazing technology, the restoration of Page Wood, and the specific management of the Sidmouth to Beer SSSI.

2. The Sid Vale Association (SVA)

The SVA is the oldest civic society in the UK and owns several key sites in the network, including James Cornish Meadow and Soldier's Hill.

• What to look for: Their "Land" section provides historical context and specific biodiversity targets for their meadows and woodlands.

3. The Sid Valley Biodiversity Group (SVBG)

This is the primary resource for the actual data you’ve been working with. They coordinate the citizen science projects and wildlife surveys across the 11 sites.

• What to look for: Detailed species reports (like the Lepidoptera and Flora audits), information on "The Community Nature Lab," and upcoming volunteer survey dates.

4. The RSPB (Cirl Bunting Project)

To understand the scientific success behind the Cirl Bunting's return to the Sid Valley, the RSPB website is essential.

• What to look for: The history of the Cirl Bunting recovery project and "Nature-Friendly Farming" guides that explain how stubble and hedges support rare birds.

5. East Devon National Landscape (formerly AONB)

The Salcombe Network is a strategic part of the East Devon National Landscape. Their website explains how these 11 sites fit into the larger regional map of Devon’s protected areas.

• What to look for: The "Nature Recovery Plan" for East Devon and maps showing the connectivity between the Pebblebed Heaths and the Jurassic Coast.

6. The Norman Lockyer Observatory Society (NLOS)

While primarily an astronomical site, the NLOS is the "Heathland Anchor" of the network. Their site details the Community Asset Transfer and their environmental mission.

• What to look for: Information on the restoration of the rare coastal lowland heath and the removal of invasive species like Rhododendron.

7. Devon Wildlife Trust (DWT)

While they may not manage the specific 11 sites in your paper, they oversee the broader Devon Nature Recovery Network map.

• What to look for: The "Nature Recovery Network" interactive map, which shows how "Core Areas" (like Combe Head Wood) are linked by "Priority Restoration" zones.

8. The Donkey Sanctuary (Ecology Department)

As mentioned in your research, the Sanctuary manages 1,200 acres in the area. They have a dedicated ecology team that works on "land stewardship."

• What to look for: Their "Ecology and Conservation" blogs, which often detail how their land management supports local biodiversity.