Date/Time
2 June 2023
10:30 am - 3:30 pm
Location
Challacombe Farm,Challacombe, Postbridge, Devon, PL20 6TD, South West
Visit a wildlife and heritage rich farm on Dartmoor to look at its management, and discuss the economics and policies of upland farming.
Owned by the Duchy of Cornwall, Challacombe Farm is managed by Mark Owen (ex SW Coast Path) and Naomi Oakley (Natural England). With Higher Level Stewardship and other grant funding they manage the farm, balancing the needs of conservation, archaeology, landscape and access. As a result Challacombe is probably one of the best farms on Dartmoor to watch wildlife – particularly in the Spring and Summer when we see the return of birds who overwintered in warmer climes.
They are also part of a farm cluster group who are collaborating to make their farms environmentally and economically sustainable on a landscape scale, with an eye on the changing public and private finance opportunities.
The day will be split into two; in the morning we will walk around species rich hay meadows, natural flood management sites, and Rhos Pasture, the latter is a stronghold for the Marsh Fritillary. Dartmoor has 20% of England’s Rhos Pasture and Challacombe has some of the best examples of this boggy habitat which is made up of purple moor grass, interspersed with devil’s bit scabious, orchids, marsh marigolds, and many other flowers.
Lunch will be at the Farm, with access to a toilet and hand washing. Please bring along your own packed lunches, (tea and coffee will be provided).
The afternoon will include a longer walk to look at the archaeology, heather moorland and seeing more Natural Flood Management sites.
