AN exciting community wildlife project is being launched on the Blackdown Hills.

Natural Futures aims to discover and record the diverse range of wildlife in the area and equip people with the skills they need for its future conservation.

The three-year project is managed by the Blackdown Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty partnership and funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund and other supporters.

It will encourage people to discover more about local wildlife, share their findings, and take action to look after the natural habitats in their own communities.

Blackdown Hills Natural Futures manager James Maben said: "The Blackdown Hills support a fascinating diversity of species and habitats, and we want to help people rediscover these special qualities and champion local conservation in the long term.

"The community nature projects we are supporting will develop ideas such as wildflower meadows on village greens, managing parish road verges and hedgerows for wildlife, nature trails and community orchards.”

The Natural Futures’ project team will help 15 local communities turn their ideas for wildlife projects into reality.

There will also be opportunities for nine recent ecology or land management graduates to gain essential field skills and survey a wide range of important wildlife sites across the AONB.

Discoveries made through the project including photos and film clips will be shared through public events and a new website later this year.

Blackdown Hills Natural Futures officer Conrad Barrowclough said: “Our first identification skills training programme for local people and recent ecology graduates will start in May.

"If you have an area of land which you think may be valuable for wildlife and you would like a free survey carried out, we want to hear from you.”

Nerys Watts, head of Heritage Lottery Fund South West England, said: “The Blackdown Hills present a quintessential image of the English countryside although there is still much to discover and record about the landscape’s heritage, habitats and biodiversity.

"Working with local communities and volunteers this project will enhance our understanding of the area and so help to conserve and protect it for the enjoyment of present and future generations.” The Natural Futures team also wants to hear from people who have ideas for community nature projects, recently qualified graduates wanting to start careers in ecology, and local people looking to improve their wildlife identification skills.

e-mail blackdownhills@devon.gov.uk or call 01823 681937 to register your interest or to find out more about Blackdown Hills Natural Futures.