On Sunday 21 September members, volunteers and supporters attended our Annual Get Together. The event included our AGM where our members elected three new Trustees to join the board – welcome to Dr David Gibson, Ross Kennerley and Kelly Rich.
The occasion also provided an opportunity to thank our volunteers for the significant contribution they make to the work of the charity with individuals being awarded certificates in recognition of the number of volunteering hours they have provided over the past 12 months.
This presentation also included a special thank you to Dr Thomas Murphy who after nine years as a trustee of Moor Trees retired from his role at the AGM. Tom’s time at the charity has extended well beyond this when he first got involved as a volunteer while a student at the University of Plymouth. Moor Trees has benefitted so much from Tom’s input and support over the years including our woodland sites featuring in some of his own academic studies and published articles. His scientific knowledge and expertise in temperate rainforests has also helped us to develop our guiding principles for Woodland Creation and the methodology for our annual Citizen Science programme monitoring previously planted woodland sites. Our chair Jenny Isaac presented him with a signed framed print from local photographer Tom Dauben.
The event also provided an opportunity to hear from Dartmoor farmer Naomi Oakley about the ambitions of the Central Dartmoor Farmer Cluster and how they are working towards realising the newly published vision for the landscape as part of the Central Dartmoor Landscape Recovery project. Naomi shared specific plans for the organically managed 180 hectares at Challacombe Farm. This includes significant areas of tree planting zoned at differing densities depending on their location such as along river banks, within gulleys, connecting habitats or alongside the scheduled monuments on the land. Naomi also shared the impact and stress on livestock of the dry weather and heat waves this summer and decisions that the business had had to make as a result.
Our Woodland Officer Jess Duffy also provided an update on recent targeted activity on Dartmoor to focus our woodland creation goals. She shared our priority mapping work and progress on conversations with landowners and land managers in the river catchments of Dartmoor where we are seeking to encourage more natural regeneration and targeted tree planting. As well as sharing an update on our involvement at the planting at Wistman’s Wood.
The day concluded with seed gathering at Plymbridge Woods with thanks to the National Trust.
