Our work

The aim of the Woods for Water project is to stimulate woodland planting and management in appropriate locations to combat flooding and improve water quality.

Connecting the Culm is a project which is being developed to tackle some of the issues associated with the River Culm and its catchment, for example flooding and water quality. Blackdown Hills AONB is working with other partnership organisations, under the umbrella of the East Devon Catchment Partnership, to develop Connecting the Culm and bid for European funding for the project.

This project, funded by Historic England, shines a spotlight on the important field boundaries and linear landscape features of the Blackdown Hills AONB and highlights the important role they play in the landscape, their heritage value and the benefits that they provide to people.

Following a successful partnership bid to Natural England, a new training and collaboration network has been set up for farmers and other land managers within the Blackdown Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). This is known as the Blackdown Hills Farming and Woodland Group.

For centuries, the sounds, sweat and smoke of iron-working were part of life in the Blackdown Hills. The rich iron-working past of The Blackdown Hills was rooted in this area’s geology and, in turn, the iron-working industry has left its mark on the landscape. The aim of the Metal Makers project was to bring to life and increase understanding of the ancient iron-working heritage of the Blackdown Hills.

The white-clawed crayfish – the UK's only native crayfish – is under threat. Only two populations remain in Devon, one in the River Culm. That's why we've launched the Culm Community Crayfish project. It will help us to learn about and safeguard the future of this endangered species. Want to get involved? Read on...

The Nature and Wellbeing project has been helping members of the local community make the most of Somerset’s Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) by participating in activities that improve their physical and mental wellbeing.  

Start Date: 01/12/2016 End Date: 01/08/2017

During the second world war, Dunkeswell  Airfield was the only US naval air base on British soil. Our Dunkeswell War Stories project set about telling the story of Dunkeswell during this period of its history, and created a series of school resources.

Start Date: 09/11/2017 End Date: 18/11/2017

Blackdown Hills Natural Futures project enabled us to find out more about the natural heritage of the Blackdown Hills, to raise awareness of the area’s natural heritage and to help local communities to build the skills and the confidence to set up their own nature projects.