Leaf Land is a 2-hectare part of Exeter’s Riverside Valley Park, nestled next to the River Exe and in view of the old Trew’s Weir. This autumn Devon Wildlife Trust has planted the public green space with 3,000 wildflower bulbs with the aim of bringing colour and helping local nature.
Each bulb was planted by hand and the charity’s staff were helped in their back-breaking task by Exeter Youth Rangers – a group of local volunteers aged 13 to 18 years – along with Year 9 students from nearby Isca Academy. The group meets monthly to tackle environmental jobs including litter picking, tree and wildflower planting within the city’s six Valley Parks.
Funding for the planting along with tools and a new interpretation board which tells the project’s story has come from Great Western Railways’ Community Fund as part of its celebrations to mark the opening of the nearby Marsh Barton Station. Exeter Valley Parks are managed by Devon Wildlife Trust on behalf of Exeter City Council.