Aims (Charitable Objects)
Its aims are:

To preserve for the benefit of the public those natural features of the land in northern Devon (including land covered by water) and in particular its vegetation and animal life which are of ecological or educational value whilst respecting its historical features such as the remains of mediaeval or other civilisations.

To advance the education of the public about the conservation and protection of the environment in northern Devon

At present the Trust operates by inviting applications from groups and individuals within the local community for resources for environmental projects (see 'Projects supported to date').

A study will be undertaken in Autumn 1998 to look at the future role of the Trust. Possible future activities may include:

• Development of a pro-active approach to the identification of, and targeting of resources towards:

Specific conservation issues of particular importance to the area;

Localised, small scale practical, educational and interpretation projects to benefit the natural environment and working with communities, land owners and managers, and local businesses to secure appropriate support for their implementation;

Securing support from local communities and businesses for the maintenance of local footpaths open to the public and the conservation of the environment of the physical and visible footpath corridor;

Conducting awareness raising campaigns relating to the environment targeting the tourism industry of the area, visitors, and local people.

HILLSBOROUGH (ILFRACOMBE) GROUP OF HELPERS:
Protective clothing and Hand tools, gloves. This local nature reserve has a keen group of volunteers who undertake management work. The Fund is supporting the purchase of clothing and tools

HATHERLEIGH TOWN COUNCIL: Bird Hide
This was a follow-up application to build a bird hide following the re-instatement of an historic pond on Hatherleigh Moor.

GT. TORRINGTON ALMS LANDS, TOWN LANDS & POORS CHARITIES:
Taddiport Leper Fields - Interpretation Panel. Support has been given towards the provision of an interpretation panel to aid visitors understanding of the dark history and conservation of these remnant mediaeval strip fields.

STICKLEPATH & OKEHAMPTON CONSERVATION VOLUNTEERS:
Skaigh Bridge scheme The fund has contributed towards the replacement of this 10m long footbridge in Belstone Cleave, Dartmoor, which is a crucial part of local and long distance walking trails in the area. An extract from the story 'Tarka the Otter' by Henry Williamson, which featured the Cleave, will be carved into the handrails of the bridge.

DEVON WILDLIFE TRUST : Support materials for 'Operation Otter'.
Now in its second year, 'Operation Otter' is a massive monitoring exercise involving more than 280 volunteers. These trained otter spotters are helping Devon Wildlife Trust staff to map the distribution of otters in the county's streams and rivers. The information will help target conservation efforts in the future. The support materials for the volunteers included track and spraint identification guides

FARMS FOR CITY CHILDREN: Tree saplings and tree guards
Each year, children staying on this charity's working farm plant trees to give them a sense of contributing to the landscape and having a stake in its appearance and conservation.

NORTH DEVON VOLUNTARY MARINE CONSERVATION AREA: Educational and Interpretational
Events Leaflet.
Each year the North Devon Heritage Coast Service runs a programme of educational and interpretation events within the VMCA particularly aimed at children. The fund's support for the publicity for these events will help ensure that as many people as possible learn of the value of this precious marine environment and what they can do to help protect it.

HATHERLEIGH MOOR MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE: Enhancement of historic pond
A historic pond on Hatherleigh Moor has been recreated. Funding has been granted for works to improve water flow through the pond and create a wet area which will encourage various wetland plant species.

STICKLEPATH CONSERVATION VOLUNTEERS: New tools
This community led volunteer group do excellent works in the southern part of Tarka Country on a variety of conservation tasks. The new tools will help them be even more effective.

WEST DEVON ENVIRONMENTAL NETWORK: Batboxes and birdboxes
Network members will be running workshops making and siting bat and bird boxes to stimulate interest in the natural environment among local residents.

NORTH TAWTON ENVIRONMENTAL GROUP: Local enhancement scheme
The group have devised an enhancement scheme at a site on the approach into this small town which will improve the ground for wildlife through a planting scheme, while providing an attractive welcome to visitors.

EAST-THE-WATER LOCAL NATURE RESERVE: Interpretation Board
A new local nature reserve is being created on salt marshes on a tidal reach of the River Torridge next to the Tarka Trail. The funding will help provide an interpretation board to explain the value of these marshes, which have not been affected by human intervention, to both visitors and local people.

OAKLANDS & MORTON COMMUNITY WOODLANDS PROJECT: Tree planting and creation of
new hedgerows
The project started eight years ago to manage and protect a small local amenity woodland. Some of the plantings will act as a screen and keep visitors to the paths while others will improve the woodland edge and enhance the biodiversity of the site.

TONY KNIGHT - FARMER: Restoration of a traditional Devon hedgebank
The miles of traditional Devon hedge that create the patchwork quilt of small fields that epitomises the north Devon landscape are under threat. A reduced agricultural workforce and changing farming practices have led to an increasing loss of this important landscape and conservation feature. A partial grant has enabled Mr Knight to restore a section which rises to a height of 10 feet in places on this sympathetically managed small farm which lies on the Tarka Trail.