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FRAGILE
EARTH
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Land Rover Experience West Country has
always retained a strong relationship with the
environment. Under the policies of Land Rovers code of 'Fragile
Earth', the centre has generated firm links with various environmental
organisations. With the support of the Barn Owl Trust , we have located nesting boxes to encourage the return of Barn Owls into East Devon. Areas of open meadow land are being left to encourage the re-establishment of the correct habitat for the owls to hunt and breed. The woodland is undergoing a long term management program to regenerate coppiced areas. This involves a ten year timetable of pruning. Parts are being left to re-generate in 'wild' areas, allowing nature to re-establish its dominant and sub-dominant species. Other areas are being deliberately cleared of pernicious weed growth and re-planted to with native tree and shrub species.
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After guidance from Nature Conservancy, East Devon District Council, English Nature and the Regional Development Agency we have planted over 1700 trees and shrubs, including Common Alder, Grey Alder, Ash, Field Maple, Common Oak, Sessile Oak, Dogwood, Hedge Rose, Dog Rose, Hawthorne, Blackthorn and Hazel. Ponds and settlement reservoirs have been formed to create natural filters from all the deep water driving areas. This guarantees that the water that flows off the site and through the farm is as clean as possible.
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| The Environment Agency recommend two filter ponds - we aim to have five! These have become a haven for aquatic wildlife and as such we have retained a freshwater aquatic biologist to perform regular surveys. This enables us to modify and improve our management of the course and its surrounding woodlands. |
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Visitors to the course, many of whom would normally not be in such close proximity to nature, can enjoy the common sight of Roe Deer and their young (who seem oblivious of the vehicles - mainly due to the very low speeds necessary for safe off-road driving), Buzzards, Kestrels, Newts, the occasional fox and a great many squirrels. These same visitors are given the chance to feast their eyes on Natures colours all through the season, with Wood Anemones and wild Garlic, followed by a sea of Bluebells, swathes of the superb pink of the common Foxglove and finally the gentle colours of autumn.
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All this allows us to firmly implant the Land Rover code of 'Fragile Earth' and the correct techniques of off road driving needed to preserve the countryside we are using.
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Vehicle Washing and Foul Water
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Both vehicle washing facilities make use of the foul water system developed when the property was still a dairy farm. This was designed and built under the stringent requirements laid down by the Environment Agency, therefore being more than up to the task of dealing with the run off from the vehicle washing process.
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Developments since opening
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Further trees and shrubs planted on site - planted on the earth mounds, the lower woodland and in non-regimented planting blocks in the upper field. The coppicing programme continues as planned - with all arisings being used to create habitat piles or being donated to the local walking stick industry! We have completed the new 'Log Road' above 'Al's Pond', in order to preserve the development of a marginal aquatic area.
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The completion of the new loop track through 'Fern Glen' and the completion of the settlement reservoir in 'Fern Glen'. The creation of wildflower areas in the new tree plantings in the upper field - these will be stock proofed so as to allow stock to still be grazed throughout this area.
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