Call for help to plant 2,000 trees at Kipscombe in October half-term

The National Trust in North Devon is asking for volunteers to come and help plant up to 2,000 trees during half term, on Thursday 28 October at Kipscombe (above Lynmouth).

In North Devon the National Trust has an ambition to plant 125,000 trees by 2025, and these trees will help combat climate change and build natural corridors to give our wildlife a better chance.

The Trust is hoping to plant 2,000 trees on 28 October and are asking for anyone who’d like to help to come along to Kipscombe and help to create more hedgerows which will help slow and flow of water as well as store carbon on the land. Volunteers can drop in and arrive any time on the day at Kipscombe, where they can plant a tree with National Trust rangers from 10am until 3pm.

Daniel Cameron, ranger for the National Trust in North Devon said,“There are great benefits to gain from tree-planting. We can improve valuable habitats and biodiversity while making an impact on carbon emissions that contribute climate change. Besides all of this, trees create a wonderful oasis to escape for peace and tranquility.Kipscombe is rich in wildlife and we may well meet some red deer, English longhorn cattle, Exmoor ponies and spot the odd peregrine whilst on site "

In 2019 16,000 trees were planted on Exmoor, Abbotsham Cliff, Brownsham (near Hartland), and at Woolacombe. The Woolacombe ranger team, with the help of the local community, planted 10,000 trees near Woolacombe Down and also at Seymour (at the top of the town). This was partly funded with help from Cotswold Outdoors, by which a percentage of Black Friday sales went towards tree planting in Devon.

The planting day on 28 October at Kipscombe is the start to the National Trust’s plan to plant 50,000 trees across Exmoor this winter, which will create the next generation of woodlands which will be enjoyed by future generations.

Head of Trees for the National Trust, John Deakin says “Planting trees can really help in the fight towards climate change as just one tree can absorb up to one tonne of CO2 in its lifetime.”

Another event which the National Trust needs volunteers to help with is also on Thursday 28 October, from 10am-3pm, at Mortehoe, where people can lend a hand cutting back gorse to allow sheep and the cows in to graze, which will hopefully create maritime grassland habitat and areas with wildflowers.

Or from Monday 25-Sunday 31 October there is a free spooky trail at Baggy Point from 10am-3pm. Follow the trail around Baggy Point for a few spooky surprises.

At Arlington Court there is also a pumpkin trail running daily from Sat 23 – Sun 31 October. £1 per trail, which includes a prize. Spot the illustrated pumpkins around the gardens and learn about all things harvest and Hallowe’en. There is also Hallowe’en family crafting on Wednesday 27 October, 12-3pm.

For all of the details of these events please head to the North Devon Facebook page and Arlington Court website.