Yealm Estuary to Moor

More than 8000 trees have been planted, including 1200 forming a riverine buffer zone at Worston Farm and 500 holly trees and additional fruit trees in Yealmpton. YEM works with the Yealmpton Environment Group, DWT’s Saving Devon’s Treescapes and FWAG SW on new woodland creation projects on two large sites, generously offered by landowners. A recent orchard restoration in Yealmpton was generously funded by Yealmpton Parish Council.

YEM works jointly with the Plymouth & South Devon Community Forest, the Woodland Trust, The Tree Council, eforests and other organisations.

YEM is running a five-year Himalayan Balsam and Japanese Knotweed ‘pulling’ programme. YEM works with ParkLife SW to complete nine ‘pulls’ over a three-month period each year along the length of the River Yealm. The project has been kindly supported by FiPL and Yealmpton Parish Council.

Thousands of metres of hedging have been planted by volunteers with many more planned. Hedges not only provide food and shelter for wildlife but also help protect the land from soil erosion and to mitigate flooding.

Two wildflower meadows have been planted plus a two-acre wildflower meadow in the Kitley Woodland by the Devon Wildlife Trust, funded by Yealmpton Parish Council.

Our pond projects are carried out by volunteers and ParkLife SW. Ponds help provide habitats for various wildlife including amphibians, insects, birds and mammals. Not only do they hold water but also naturally filter it by trapping sediments and absorbing pollutants, improving the water quality of surrounding water courses.​

Three leaky dams in series have been created on an upper Yealm River tributary to slow water flow. Further flood protection work is planned jointly with the Dartmoor National Parks.