Exmoor Awareness 2006 – Woodland Life

EXMOOR AWARENESS 2006 – WOODLAND LIFE

Local tourism businesses will once again have the opportunity to learn more about Exmoor thanks to another series the successful Exmoor Awareness training programmes. The scheme is run by Exmoor National Park Authority, in partnership with Visit Exmoor and the Exmoor Tourist Association.

Now into its third series, the successful Exmoor Awareness programme, aims to help increase knowledge of Exmoor’s special qualities and features among people in the tourism industry, and assist businesses in further developing their own products and services.

This year the programme, which begins on 22nd February and includes 3 seminars of presentations, talks and walks by National Park Authority and other specialists, has a woodland theme.

National Park Authority sustainable tourism officer Robert Downes says: “Every year Exmoor’s woodlands provide a spectacular backdrop for visitors to the area and the recreational activities that they enjoy. Exmoor’s woodlands are full of wildlife from Red deer, birds and bats to the rare dormouse, flora, and some 240 species of lichens that only flourish where the air is clean and hopefully knowing a bit more about it will help visitors to get more fromtheir visit and encourage them to return.”

Many of the area’s finest woodlands are conveniently located close to major visitor centres at Dunster, Minehead, Porlock, Lynton and Lynmouth, and on well known walking routes such as the South West Coast Path, Two Moors Way, Coleridge Way and in Doone Country.

Exmoor’s woodlands currently cover about 12% of the National Park, of which a quarter is regarded as ancient semi-natural woodlands – both facts that are higher than the national averages. However, it is not so much the quantity, but the quality of these wooded areas that are so special. For example Exmoor

Has 3 National Nature Reserves
The highest beech tree plantation in England
England’s tallest tree (until recently!)
Trees that date back to medieval times
3 species of whitebeam that exist nowhere else

Businesses that attend the programme will have an opportunity to learn more about these facts as well as discovering more about tree habitats, woodland management, archaeology, wildlife, woodland deer and birds, and the role of the Exmoor ‘Woodland’ Ranger.

The dates of the three seminars are 22^nd February, 15^th March and 28^th March 2006. The cost of attending the programme is £15.00 per person for one seminar, £25.00 for two of the seminars, and £30.00 for all three. All prices include lunch.

Anyone interested in attending or who would like to know more, should contact Robert Downes at Exmoor National Park Authority on 01398 322 174 or by email at rmdownes@exmoor-nationalpark.gov.uk.