The coastal land surrounding Dartmouth and Kingswear is cared for by a team of Countryside rangers. From restoring wildflower meadows and wetlands to battling bracken, a lot more work goes into preserving this stretch of coastline than people think. Find out more about our ongoing efforts, and if you're out on the coast paths feel free to say hello to a ranger or give them a wave.
We care for over 45 miles of coastline across South Devon, from Wembury near Plymouth to Dartmouth, Salcombe and Teignmouth. Across this stretch of coast is four and a half thousand hectares of countryside, including coastal farms, rich grasslands, beaches, coves and more. The changing climate means nature needs our help, now more than over, but we're not doing it alone.
Countryside Rangers have been working with partners, tenant farmers and private landowners to give nature a boost, including the team from 'Life on the Edge', a project led by the South Devon National Landscape. This year saw 96kg of wildflower seeds grown and harvested from donor fields around South Devon. This mix of native wildflower seeds will be used to aid flower-rich grassland restorations across South Devon, with an area of land near Kingswear already receiving the first seeds sown.
Nature is in decline, with 97% of meadows across England and Wales gone. Wildflower meadows provide vital feeding grounds for birds and bees, create nesting habitats for small animals, and improve the soil by capturing carbon and rainfall. Working in partnership means we can restore wider wildlife-rich areas and create more healthier ecosystems for nature.
Part of the coastline around Dartmouth and Kingswear, specifically from Newfoundland Cove to the west of Brownstone Battery, is designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) for its grassland habitat. For this kind of land, creating the right balance of scrubland and grassland is one of the ways the rangers have been caring for it, encouraging a diverse range of plants and wildlife.
Birds such as the cirl bunting, yellowhammer and stonechat thrive in this habitat, while the violets in Kelly’s Cove are a vital food plant for the larvae of the dark green fritillary butterfly. By bringing back species-rich grasslands, restoring wildflower meadows and using traditional methods, threatened species from farmland birds to pollinators, will continue to thrive.
Man Sands was once a marshland before it became farmland. Work began over 15 years ago when crumbling sea defences from the beach were removed, and field drainage immediately behind it. This created a large wetland area, which has since evolved into a series of pools of standing water and marshland.
It’s now the perfect habitat for a variety of birds, including mallards, moorhens and herons while also providing habitats for a variety of plants, invertebrates, and amphibians. Heathy wetlands are an important means for capturing and storing carbon, helping slow the effects of climate change.
The temporary bird hide that was built – a simple screen with a bench behind it – was so well used by the local birdwatching community that the team decided to erect a more weatherproof and permanent structure. This was built at the top of the marsh in 2012.
The wetland near Man Sands beach was adversely affected by storms and heavy rain, causing the loss of the standing water and reed bed as well as the flooding of the coast path, making it impassable. Further work took place to create a new alternative route for the South West Coast Path further up the valley near the bird hide. It also allowed the team to expand, creating a new area of standing water and reed beds further from the beach.
When bracken grows in the kind of soil it loves, it becomes a highly invasive species. To stop it thriving at the expense of other flora, it is necessary to control its growth. This can be done in a number of different ways, from chemical treatment to mechanical cutting. Doing so weakens the bracken’s underground energy store (known as its ‘rhizome’) meaning that the following year’s growth is weaker and smaller, allowing more space for the more delicate wildflower populations.
Every summer, sections of bracken are cut away here and then raked off to prevent it dominating the landscape. A walk along the South West Coast Path at Scabbacombe beach and Kelly’s Cove takes you along areas that have been cared for in this way since the mid-1990s.
With your ongoing support, we're able to continue our vital conservation work. Thank you for helping to protect these special places.
From peaceful woodlands to dramatic coastlines and rolling hills, nature has always been there for us when we've needed it. However, climate change is accelerating the decline of these places of calm. You can help give nature hope for tomorrow by donating today.
Walk and explore quiet dog-friendly beaches with great coastal views. Spot a variety of wildlife, birdlife and flora that flourishes in the area.
We believe that nature, beauty and history are for everyone. That’s why we’re supporting wildlife, protecting historic sites and more. Find out about our work.
Read about our strategy, which focuses on restoring nature, ending unequal access and inspiring more people.
