Happy #EarthDay2024 !

Our Dartmoor Biodiversity Officer Morwenna recently discussed the use of plastic tree guards in our work, when they are necessary and how they can be substituted.🌿

Read Morwenna’s blog here: swlakestrust.org.uk/blog/earth-day…

#ItsYourOutdoors

Over winter one of our Ecologists, Emma, and our contractor’s Dartforest Tree Works and Aran Kimberlee monitored woodland features.🌿

We found shield bugs, bumblebees and some small mammals including wood mice and pygmy shrews. 🐝

We hope that bats find our new features soon!🦇

Exciting new opportunities for summer 2024 at South West Lakes Activity Centres!
We’re looking for casual staff to join our 2024 summer Activity Centre Team where you will help to organise and run watersports and land based activities.
More info: swlakestrust.org.uk/join-the-team

Wishing you a merry Christmas from all of us at South West Lakes!🎄

#ItsYourOutdoors

Join our Head of Environment Nicola Morris for a two-day online course (10am to 1pm on 16 and 18 January 2024) to find out more about identifying and managing invasive species.

More info here: swlakestrust.org.uk/Event/invasive…
#ItsYourOutdoors

The countdown to Christmas is on!

If you’re searching for some Christmas fun, take a look at our advent calendar for 25 exciting things to get up to this festive season.🎄

Read our blog here: swlakestrust.org.uk/Blog/itsyourou…

#ItsYourOutdoors

During a recent membership survey, we found out that 20% of people use their memberships for wingsurfing and wingfoiling! ⛵️

Have you tried the quickly growing sport?

Find out more here: rya.org.uk/blog/wingsurfi…

#ItsYourOutdoors

In September, our licensed ecologist Emma alongside a group of volunteers checked dormouse boxes at Roadford Lake.🐭

They found nine dormice during the survey, which is the largest amount found at Roadford Lake since 2015!

November's photo in our 2023 calendar is this wonderful picture captured at Burrator Reservoir by Jan De Brauw.

Keep your eyes peeled for the 2024 calendar, coming soon.

#ItsYourOutdoors

⚠️ Weather warnings for wind and rain ⚠️

Strong winds and heavy rain are forecast for tonight (Wed) and tomorrow morning (Thu). Please don’t put yourself at risk by travelling to visit us during this time.

#ItsYourOutdoors

The new Dark Sky Discovery Hub at Wimbleball Lake is officially ready to welcome night-time visitors!
The hub was made possible thanks to generous funding from Exmoor National Park, Hinkley Tourism Action Partnership and our supporters.✨
Read more: swlakestrust.org.uk/news/new-dark-…

#ItsYourOutdoors

In 2020, South West Water funded 24 bird boxes at Fernworthy reservoir.
In June 2022, a clutch of pied flycatchers were given unique metal rings and at the start of summer this year, a bird ringer in Buckfastleigh caught one of the nestlings as an adult breeding in another box!

Our volunteers have generously given over 400 hours to support our ecology and habitat management work this September.🌿

We’d like to thank everyone for the support, we couldn’t have done it without you!

#ItsYourOutdoors

Halloween family fun🎃

Join us at Roadford Lake Activity Centre on Saturday 28 October for our Halloween family fun day. 🦇

Expect nature based crafts, spooky woodland trails, campfires, BBQs and other creative activities.🎨

More info: swlakestrust.org.uk/Event/hallowee…

#ItsYourOutdoors

Join us at Roadford Lake on Saturday 2 September for the WaterAid Summer Fete!
Hosted by South West Water , expect free entry and activities from 10am to 5pm including paddleboarding, raffle, dog competition, bouncy castle, food/drink stalls and more!
#ItsYourOutdoors

Beautiful evening at Burrator Reservoir, #Dartmoor . 7 Spot Fly, including family party of 4. Also 6 Goosander, Great Crested Grebe, 17 Cormorant, Green Woodpecker etc. 35 sps in total. #birding #BirdsOfTwitter #BirdsSeenIn2023 Devon Birds Wildlife In Devon South West Lakes Trust

Exeter & District Ramblers RamblersGB Devon Ramblers Dartmoor National Park DartmoorNationalPark VisitDartmoor Devon Days #LoveDevon Fernworthy Reservoir looking very lovely today when we passed by as part of our Exeter & District Ramblers walk. RamblersGB Devon Ramblers Devon Days #LoveDevon VisitDartmoor Dartmoor National Park South West Lakes Trust

We've started to build a Dark Sky Discovery Hub at Wimbleball Lake on Exmoor, thanks to generous funding from Exmoor National Park, Hinkley Tourism Action Partnership and our supporters.

Read more: swlakestrust.org.uk/news/reaching-…

📷 Jonathan Warner

#ItsYourOutdoors

🎉Exciting News🎉

We are thrilled to announce the return of the ‘Love your Lakes’ photography competition, this year with an added video category! 📷

More information on categories and how to enter here: swlakestrust.org.uk/love-your-lake…

#ItsYourOutdoors

One more butterfly from Longham on Tuesday- a stunning common blue!
BC Dorset 🦋 South West Lakes Trust Dorset Wildlife Spot Dorset Wildlife Trust