Responsible and sustainable management
The Estate is situated in one of the most beautiful parts of the country. The Estate’s ethos is to uphold the highest environmental principles in all its activities in order to protect and enhance its beauty for future generations to enjoy.
The Estate’s farmland is managed sustainably and much of it is organic. The approach is outlined on Farming.
The Estuary is managed similarly carefully – more information can be found on Estuary & Mooring.
Across the entire estate there are areas of particular environmental interest including ancient woodland, sand dunes, coastal grassland and bracken.
The Estate works with wildlife and countryside organisations to monitor and preserve the flora and fauna.
Recent examples include a study to establish the existence of dormice on the Estate and a study to learn more about the heronry.
Sensitive long term management plans, such as a ten year woodland management plan, ensure that all areas of the Estate continue to thrive.
We have recently completed the first AONB Management plan in the South Hams. To see a copy please click here.
The estate woodlands are entered into a 10 year woodland management plan which will see controlled thinning and replanting regenerate the beautiful woodlands.
In 2019 the Estate planted 3482 native woodland species in an extra 7 hectares of woodland from a woodland creation grant, and has an ongoing scheme of woodland creation.
In conjunction with Devon Wildlife Trust the Estate is engaging in a dormouse survey. The aim is to identify any populations of dormice on the Estate and support DWT’s intention to record dormice habitation throughout the Avon valley. As part of the work beneficial habitat will be protected to create wildlife corridors. This work is essential to protect this beautiful creature from decline.
We are host to a unique heronry on the banks of the river Avon. It is shared by heron and two species of egret. The site is carefully monitored and protected by the Estate team and is subject to an ongoing ornithological survey so an accurate picture can be built of breeding success and by implication the health of the river and local biodiversity.
Our countryside stewardship agreement on the Ham aims to restore species rich grassland and recreate the ancient hay meadow by controlling the brambles and bracken. The grass will be allowed to mature and flower before being cut and removed as hay.
The sand dunes are actively managed to prevent the ingress of invasive or non-native species and so allow the unique coastal flowers to establish and flourish. The removal of brambles and bracken also helps to protect any archaeology from root damage.