Gardens, parks and green spaces can have intricate mosaics of habitats (such as flowers, ponds, scrub, trees and walls) that provide a fantastic environment for wildlife.
Devon has approximately 2,000 hectares of road verges that together provide interconnected wildlife corridors.
Devon’s hedgehog populations are now thought to be healthier in towns and villages than in the wider countryside.
Ludwell Valley Park (Exeter), Annie Houston
Our gardens, parks and other green spaces are designed and managed for wildlife as well as for many other recreational and functional uses. They include intricate mosaics of habitats with trees, scrub, bushy hedges, flowers, ponds and long grass. Our buildings provide a home for bats and birds.
Mammals: Hazel Dormouse, Hedgehog, Greater and Lesser Horseshoe, Grey Long-eared and Serotine bats.
Birds: Birds of towns and villages (Starling, Swift, House Sparrow, House Martin, Spotted Flycatcher).
Invertebrates: Brown Hairstreak Butterfly, Plymouth spiders (Horrid Ground Weaver), Great Crested Newt.
Plants: Plymouth Pear, Deptford Pink, Green-winged Orchid. Calcareous coastal grassland species, including Field Eryngo, Bithynian Vetch and the Torbay limestone specialists.
See the Devon Species of Conservation Concern spreadsheet for all species.
UK priority habitat: Ancient and veteran trees, wood pasture and parkland, broadleaved woodland, native hedges, lowland meadows, calcareous grasslands, broadleaved woodland, wet woodland and traditional orchards.
Statutory irreplaceable habitatIrreplaceable habitat, if destroyed, is very difficult (or takes a significant time) to restore, recreate or replace because of its age, uniqueness, species diversity or rarity.: Ancient and veteran trees, ancient woodlands
Wider benefits: Recreation, landscape, flood control, air quality, water quality, pollinators, access to nature.
This page covers a huge range of public and private green spaces in urban and rural areas, which all form a vital part of Devon’s nature network. They include public parks, churchyards and cemeteries, allotments, school grounds, golf courses, caravan parks and our private gardens. They also include road verges, railway lines and forgotten corners in our industrial sites.
Buildings can also support wildlife by providing valuable nesting and roosting sites, green roofs and walls.
These green spaces are increasingly being managed for wildlife. They’re often made up of small patches that contain different habitats such as trees, long grass, short grass, walls, hedges, flower beds, fruit trees, compost heaps and ponds. This mosaic of habitats is fantastic for wildlife as it provides lots of options for shelter and nesting sites and food for invertebrates and small mammals. These in turn provide food for larger mammals (such as Hedgehogs), bats and birds. Birds such as Swifts and House Martins nest in our eaves and bats roost in our lofts and cellars.
Some of our green spaces are among the best examples of UK priority habitats, including the limestone grasslands at Berry Head Country Park NNR in Torbay and Billacombe SSSISite of Special Scientific Interest in Plymouth. Because many parks, such as Devonport Park in Plymouth and Phear Park in Exmouth, are remnants of parklands they have wildlife-rich ancient and veteran trees.
Other green spaces support rare species. Bithynian Vetch (a rare plant) is found along the seafront in Exmouth and on the cliffs at Sandy Bay Park just outside the town. Bee Orchids regularly pop up in patches of grassland on industrial sites, including in Exeter and Exmouth.
These spaces also provide wider benefits. They help to improve air quality, capture and store carbon, reduce flooding, improve water quality and enhance our health and wellbeing.
See Habitats and Species pages for other relevant pressures and opportunities for specific habitats and species in our green spaces.
Light pollution can have a serious effect on wildlife. For example, it can disturb natural cycles and create barriers in the landscape for light-sensitive species such as bats.
The huge impacts of biocidesA chemical substance or microorganism intended to destroy, deter, or control harmful organisms such as bacteria, fungi, viruses, insects, or other pests. They are commonly used in disinfectants, wood preservatives, and pest control products. (such as herbicides, insecticides and fungicides) on the environment are well known, especially the harm they cause to invertebrates.
A Keep Britain Tidy (KBT) study estimates that roadside litter kills 3 million small animals every year. For example, glass bottles in east Devon have been found to contain the remains of Hazel Dormice and Hedgehogs can get caught up in litter such as yoghurt pots, tins and other plastics.
A few species have become invasive and are having serious effects on the environment. These include common non-native species found in parks, gardens and green spaces such as Grey Squirrels and Japanese Knotweed as well as many invasive non-native aquatic species. Many invasive non-native species have spread to the wild from gardens and aquariums. See Invasive non-native species for more information.
Lots of individuals, community groups, schools, businesses and organisations are taking action for wildlife in our parks, gardens and green spaces. This is in part due to the growing awareness of the benefits of nature for health and wellbeing, air quality, water quality and in storing carbon and reducing flooding. The Devon Local Nature Partnership has three connecting people with nature groups which help to promote best practice and support action for wildlife across the county. See Connecting people and nature for more information.
There are huge opportunities to build wildlife into all new developments. The new statutory duty for Biodiversity Net GainA way to create and improve natural habitats that makes sure development has a net gain for biodiversity compared to what was there before. will help, but it’s important that wildlife habitats are created on site as well as off site. Wildlife habitats in new developments help to create corridors across our landscapes and provide wider benefits such as flood control, carbon capture, improved air quality and an opportunity for people to connect with nature. See the Wider benefits pages for more information.
Devon has over forty designated Historic Parks and Gardens, as well as some on the Devon Gardens Trust Local List and many other non-designated historic green spaces, such as urban parks and cemeteries. As well as supporting biodiversity, they’re an accessible heritage resource that can help improve public health and wellbeing. The country parks at Stover, Berry Head and the Grand Western Canal are designated heritage assets, as are many National Trust properties.
Devon has a substantial number of historical buildings, traditional farm buildings and thatched buildings that can be an important habitat for wildlife.
Better (wildlife-rich), bigger and more green spaces and gardens that are connected to a network of habitats across the county, benefiting Devon Special SpeciesDevon Species of Conservation Concern which have been 'shortlisted' as needing particular action or attention. and achieving wider benefits such as carbon capture, water resilience and health and wellbeing.
All existing and new buildings are managed or designed to provide wildlife habitats.
See Find out more below for links to more information on managing green spaces and gardens for wildlife.
Create and manage a mosaic of wildlife-rich habitats in green spaces and gardens.
Always check what wildlife already exists before taking action. Consider the following as part of a well-designed green space or garden:
Reduce the use of biocides, including slug pellets.
Eliminate litter
Minimise light pollution.
Control invasive species. See Invasive non-native species for more information.
Provide nesting sites for birds and roosting sites for bats in buildings. See Birds in towns and villages and Bats for more information.
Create green roofs and walls.
Integrate accessible wildlife into all new urban design schemes, following national best practice including Natural England’s principles for green infrastructure.
More detailed actions for Devon Special Species and Wider benefits are set out on other LNRS pages. Some links are provided below (however most species pages are relevant):
Focus action everywhere! Wildlife-rich green spaces and gardens are needed across Devon. However, check the LNRS Viewer to see if your green space or garden is in a High Opportunity Area. If it is, where possible carry out the actions set out for that area.
Devon County Council has identified Special Verges which are mapped as High Opportunity Areas (under Wildlife-rich grassland mosaics). See Mapping for the LNRS Viewer and information on how areas have been mapped.
Over 100 gardens across Devon take part in the National Garden Scheme. They allow visitors to explore a wide variety of private spaces from coastal plots and cottage gardens to wildlife-friendly havens and historic estates.
Mid Devon District Council manages a wide range of open spaces, including formal parks, playing fields, play areas, general open spaces, cemeteries and closed churchyards. Where possible, they’re improving the variety of habitats in these areas to benefit biodiversity and environmental sustainability. Their aim is to provide attractive, accessible and well-maintained parks and recreational spaces while also caring for and enhancing biodiversity.
Cleave Road Meadow was adopted in the early 2000’s by North Devon Council and has been managed with biodiversity in mind. It has been cut and baled each year, initially twice each summer to remove biomassThe total quantity or weight of organisms in a given area or volume. and nutrients and more recently an autumn cut in September. 25% of the site is left uncut on a rotational basis to allow for over-wintering invertebrates.
Originally surveyed by the Bumblebee Conservation Trust as part of the Westcountry Buzz project in 2020, the site has gone on to be designated a County Wildlife Site in 2021.
The Trust said: “Cleave Road Meadow is an exceptional site with very high biodiversity value, all located on the outskirts of Barnstaple. The sheer amount of forage availability is quite remarkable in a site of this size and there is very high potential for this site to be used as a donor site for restoration of other species-rich habitats in the local area.”
The Green Spaces Group is a volunteer working party of Exminster Parish Council with a mission to brighten up the village and enhance green spaces for wildlife and people. The group is helping to deliver an overarching nature recovery programme that covers Exminster and its immediate landscape.
Their work includes adding wildlife habitats to the community orchard, parish meadow and churchyard, installing swift boxes in the church tower, tree planting, maintaining a mini tree nursery and creating a demonstration wildflower bed. They’ve connected to their community by working with partners such as the schools, church and a village-based NHS facility. A village nature trail and events such as wassails, a photo competition, guided walks and presenting on nature recovery at the annual parish meeting have all helped build awareness and participation in nature recovery.
If you’re doing something to help nature thrive, please share it on the Devon Nature Recovery Delivery Map to inspire others to take action.
Always follow the Countryside Code and keep to footpaths and sites that are managed for public access.
Head to your local park! Other good places to see parks and gardens that are managed for wildlife are:
Located in the heart of Exmouth, Phear Park is a rich mosaic of habitats, including mature oak trees, wildflower meadows and managed grasslands that support a thriving ecosystem. As part of the Wild Exmouth project, initiatives such as the Tree Trail and Wildflower Wardens have highlighted the park’s ecological value, with volunteers documenting native flora and promoting sustainable land management. The park’s diverse tree population – featuring several varieties of oak (some nearly 400 years old) – provides shelter and food for birds, insects and small mammals. These efforts demonstrate how thoughtful stewardship of public green spaces can enhance urban wildlife corridors and deepen public appreciation for nature.
This riverside park in Exeter has been transformed into a haven for birdlife and biodiversity through Exeter City Council’s nature-focused management regime. This has been done through:
– Altered mowing: Large areas of grass are left to grow long, creating habitat for pollinators and small mammals, with paths and picnic circles for the public.
– Wildflower planting: Wildflower meadows have been introduced and expanded to boost biodiversity and provide nectar for insects.
– Tree planting: New memorial trees and Dawn Redwoods add canopy and diversity.
– No chemicals or pesticides are used, supporting Exeter City Council’s nature-friendly approach.
The Friends of Belle Isle Park volunteer group plays a vital role in delivering nature recovery. Their contributions include increasing wildflower meadow planting, installing bird boxes to support cavity-nesting species and organising regular biodiversity-focused volunteer days.
The park fosters community cohesion, offers tranquil opportunities for recreation and wildlife watching, and has helped reduce anti-social behaviour, making Belle Isle Park a model of urban nature recovery and social benefit.
A flagship horticultural site, Rosemoor blends formal gardens with woodland walks and wildflower meadows. Seasonal highlights include vibrant rose gardens in summer and dramatic foliage in autumn.
For information on visiting these and other sites that are open to the public please see the Explore Devon website.
Natural England’s Green Infrastructure Framework includes 15 Principles for creating high quality green infrastructure.
Sustainable Urban Drainage Scheme (SUDS) guidance.
Buglife has published guidance on Creating Green Roofs for Invertebrates.
Churchyards are particularly important for wildlife. Caring for God’s Acre provides lots of useful information.
Garden Wildlife Health (GWH) is a collaborative project between the Zoological Society of London, British Trust for Ornithology, Froglife and the RSPB. The project aims to monitor the health of, and identify disease threats to, British wildlife. Its website has lots of useful information and a section allowing people to report incidents of disease and mortality.
The majority of road verges in Devon are managed by Devon County Council. Read about their Life on the Verge initiative
Plantlife has information on road verge management.
The Devon Local Nature Partnership website has lots of useful information on lighting: Devon Dark Skies – Devon Local Nature Partnership
Draft
