Discover nature with this year’s National Wildlife Refuge Week

Later this month (20 – 31 May), the beauty and variety of England’s landscapes and the wildlife they support will be celebrated through National Nature Reserves Week – and everyone is encouraged to get out there and find inspiration through nature.

Across Cornwall and Devon, there will be plenty of free activities, from bat walks to craft days, being organized during the 12-day festival.

Organized by Natural England, National Nature Reserves Week runs from 20 to 31 May, with some events organized by the National Trust and, in Devon, the Pebblebed Heaths Conservation Trust.

National Nature Reserves (NNRs) are for everyone, regardless of your connection to nature. Whether you connect through wildlife, wellness, faith, friendship, culture or the arts, experience the NNR spirit this National Wildlife Refuge Week.

NNRs were established to protect some of our most important habitats, species and geology and to provide “outdoor laboratories” for research. They are essential to the future of nature recovery in this country

In Devon, highlights include events at Yarner Wood, such as exploring the tropical rainforest and a bat walk on the vidde estuary.

Meanwhile, in Cornwall, there’s something for everyone, including a chance to do citizen science activities, recording wildlife on Tregoss Moor, exploring nature crafts on Goss Moor, nature diving at Golitha Falls and searching for rare grubs the size of a jackdaw, which are members of the raven family and other wildlife on a walk along the lizard.

These are just a few of the events taking place and you can learn more about all the events at www.NNRweek.com. All events are free, but some require reservations.