Volunteers learning new skills on Dartmoor
Young rangers in action on Dartmoor this summer
This summer, a group of enthusiastic young people carried out conservation work to keep Dartmoor’s popular Granite Tramway looking good.
Fifteen volunteers endured foggy and wet conditions to roll up their sleeves, remove turf, repair eroded sections and keep the area looking spick and span so people can enjoy it.
The event was led by Dartmoor National Park Ranger Pete Rich and youth engagement ranger Emily Cannon. Both said it was great to have them back involved with practical conservation work.
Four of the group have previously been involved with the Junior and Youth Ranger scheme and eleven were new volunteers from different parts of Devon and Cornwall. Following the conservation task, they enjoyed a walk and talk in the surrounding area.
The Haytor Granite Tramway is a reminder of the times when the area was quarried with stone being transported along the granite-built tramway to Ventiford Basin and onto Teignmouth by boat. Over the years Dartmoor National Park Authority, supported by passionate and skilled volunteers, have worked hard to conserve the area come rain or shine.
For some, the event was the first time they’d been on Dartmoor as a ‘ranger’ since the pandemic outbreak in early 2020.
Pete said: ‘It was fantastic to get the Junior and Youth Rangers together, see some new faces and carry out some practical conservation work that’ll make a valuable contribution to keeping Dartmoor special for everyone.’
Emily added: ‘Feedback was really positive, from how much they enjoyed using tools and carrying out practical tasks, to learning more about the tramway, and being in a team of people again. We’re always keen to hear from anyone who wants to join our Junior and Youth rangers’ programmes and I’d love to hear from anyone who wishes to join.’
Dartmoor National Park established the Junior Rangers Programme in 2015. It’s for young people aged 12 – 14 and gives them a chance to meet like-minded people and have loads of outdoor fun, learning practical and personal skills in one of Britain’s most iconic landscapes. The Youth Rangers programme is for graduating Junior Rangers aged 15 – 19. They get involved with more challenging tasks and can achieve a John Muir Award.
Over the summer the young rangers have tackled Himalayan balsam, managed bracken on important archaeological sites, repaired boardwalks and bridleways, collected seeds and assisted in a tree nursery, and learnt the traditional skill of dry stone walling. This was made possible by working in partnership with several Dartmoor conservation charities, and thanks to Generation Green funding.
Generation Green aims to connect young people to nature, create and save jobs, and build a green recovery workforce. YHA (England & Wales) is hosting the project on behalf of the partners: The Outward Bound Trust, Scouts, Girlguiding, Field Studies Council and the 10 English National Parks. Funded by the government’s Green Recovery Challenge Fund, Generation Green is being delivered by The National Lottery Heritage Fund in partnership with Natural England, the Environment Agency, and the Forestry Commission.
The Junior Ranger and Youth Ranger autumn and winter programmes are now available. In October, activities include gorse management at Haytor on October 9th; coppicing and woodland management near Bovey Tracey on October 17th; scrub clearance at Roborough on October 26th and gorse management at Gidleigh on October 29th. There’s also a free residential weekend at Okehampton Youth Hostel for Junior Rangers on October 29th - October 31st.
In November, there are boardwalk repairs at Ivybridge on November 7th; Gorse removal at Newbridge on November 13th and tree planting near Darlington on November 21st, plus a free residential weekend at Okehampton Youth Hostel for Youth Rangers from November 26th until November 28th.
Please e-mail Emily for more information: ecannon@dartmoor.gov.uk or call 07912 470778.