Ash dieback is a serious and imminent threat to the ecology and distinctive appearance of the Devon landscape. The disease is expected to kill at least 90% of ash, which is our county’s second most numerous tree. Dieback cannot be stopped but if we join together to take immediate action, we can all help to mitigate the damage it will do to our natural and cultural heritage.

Devon Wildlife Trust (DWT) is leading the Saving Devon's Treescapes project on behalf of Devon’s Ash Dieback Resilience Forum. It’s a partnership project which is supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund. The project will focus on mitigating the impact of dieback on trees outside woods. It is estimated that there are around 1.9 million mature and near-mature ash trees in Devon’s parks, gardens, small copses and wood pastures, and (perhaps most critically) along the 53,000 km of hedgerow that connect all of these features together.

The project will champion a 3-2-1 ash replacement formula, with at least three new trees of other species planted (or otherwise encouraged) for every large ash lost, two for every medium-sized ash, and one for every small ash. You can find out more about the project here - https://www.devonwildlifetrust.org/what-we-do/our-projects/saving-devon…

Volunteers will be watering of plants and cells outside of normal nursery volunteer days.

Skills and attributes that will be useful include:

• A keen interest in wildlife and growing and nurturing plants.
• A keen interest in working practically outside.
• Availability to volunteer on a regular basis at appropriate times of year. During April/May/June/July/August we are looking for a minimum of one hour a week.