A Week of Wildlife at Meeth Quarry

Devon Wildlife Trust’s Northern Devon Nature Improvement Area is planning a special week of wildlife inspired science and art events at its Meeth Quarry nature reserve near Great Torrington.

The charity is staging a weekend of free events on Saturday 22nd and Sunday 23rd March, running from 11am-3pm on both days. People can drop in when they wish or stay all day. The theme for these events is ‘Artists and Scientists’. Visitors are being encouraged to come along to discover how artists draw inspiration and scientists find fascination in the natural world.  And they will also be encouraged to explore their own artistic and scientific interests in a packed two-day’s of activity.

On Saturday there will be an opportunity to join a painter, a poet and a soil scientist in a series of hands on activities which will draw on Meeth Quarry’s unique landscape.

On Sunday the focus will be the search for mammals, amphibians and reptiles in the company of experts, along with a music workshop with drumming and animal songs inspired by the nature reserve.

Tamasine Addie, Community Outreach Officer for the Northern Devon Nature Improvement Area said: ‘During the weekend we want to give people the chance to help us map Meeth Quarry nature reserve, building up a picture of the landscape from different points of view.”

Tamasine continued: “By ‘mapping Meeth’ in this way we get a chance to see all the benefits it has to offer for wildlife and local people alike. We hope to see lots of wildlife on site – and lots of people enjoying it too!”

The weekend is being followed by a further event aimed at local school teachers. Tuesday 25th March sees Meeth Quarry open its doors for teachers to find out ways in which they might use the nature reserve as an ‘outdoor classroom’ with their pupils. The evening will also include a short walk to explore areas of the site suitable for school visits.  This session will run from 4–6.30pm. Booking is essential. Please contact Tamasine Addie on 07968 850803.

Finally, on Friday 28th March Meeth Quarry is the venue for a ‘Dark, Dark Night event’ from 4-7pm. Back by popular demand, this event is a drop-in session giving people the chance to find out more about moths, owls and bats as they emerge into the night sky after a winter of hibernation. This is a great opportunity to see bats up close, learn about owl habitats and marvel at moths as they flit through the air at twilight.

All events are FREE! People can find out more about the events on the Northern Devon Nature Improvement Area website, www.northerndevonnia.org