Nature Walks
What makes Dartmoor such a special place for nature is its mosaic of interconnected habitats, on a scale found nowhere else in southern Britain. Ascend through pasture and hay meadows, beside fast-flowing rivers, through ancient woodlands and skirting valley mire onto open heath and remote blanket bog. Many species rely on more than one of these habitats to complete their life-cycle, while others are specialists, sometimes rare enough to be of international importance.
“I find thinking initially in terms of habitat is a good way to make sense of nature; what grows and lives in certain conditions and why, and how that all fits together, so many of my nature days are habitat-focused. Public nature days are aimed at beginners and assume no previous knowledge. You will learn but you won’t be bombarded with facts. The aim isn’t to learn lots of species names but to get an overview of the topic, in order to better understand and appreciate it; and above all to enjoy it.” — Geri Skeens
Woodland Walks 2024
This year Geri is leading a series of walks at Yarner Woods. Yarner forms part of England’s first nature reserve: East Dartmoor National Nature Reserve. The reserve includes the very special habitat known as temperate rainforest, just as special as tropical rainforest but rarer. These biodiversity hotspots contain species of global importance and are a joy to visit.
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Am I in a rainforest?
Yes, Britain has rainforests! But is this one? That’s what we aim to find out. A short walk suitable for both adults and children.
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Introduction to Mosses, Ferns and Lichens
We slow down to take a closer look at the mosses, ferns and lichens we might otherwise stride past and learn about their ecological value and variety.
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Marvellous mosses
Easily overlooked but surprisingly important, some of the most luxuriant and easily identified mosses are found in our temperate rainforests, from the feathery Tamarisk Moss to the spiky Haircaps.
Pony Power walks with
Dartmoor Pony Heritage Trust
Walks led by Geri at Bellever where the DPHT runs a herd of Dartmoor ponies. Suitable for adults and children.
Bespoke Nature Walks and Workshops
Nature walks and events designed to meet your needs, for example:
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Brilliant bog
The bogs that blanket the upland plateaux of Dartmoor are home to some rare and extraordinary plants and animals. Plants here have to live off just rainwater and sunshine; all that is except those which have taken to eating insects! We’ll learn about life on the bog and enjoy the wild, remote beauty of Dartmoor’s peaty heart.
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Moorland flowers and more
Learn to identify common moorland flowers, mosses and other plants, along with an understanding of how they fit into ecosystems and their traditional uses.
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Workshops for outdoor leaders
Five topics for 2024: temperate rainforest, blanket bog, upland flora, impact of hill farming on uplands, and a day on mosses/ferns/lichens.
