Exmoor’s visitors and businesses show how much they care

Funding worth over £25,000 has been raised through CareMoor for Exmoor, the Exmoor National Park conservation and access fund.

Since being launched four years ago hundreds of individuals, businesses, event organisers and communities have contributed to the scheme providing funding for a range of conservation and access related projects within the National Park which would otherwise not be possible.

The latest donation of £500 has come via West Hollowcombe farm cottages where proprietors Peter and Irene Larcombe ask guests to donate to the scheme in lieu of a separate energy charge. In total they have raised over £2,300 to date for the scheme. “It was something of a no-brainer to get involved” commented Mr Larcombe. “As a business we depend on the natural assets of Exmoor and the opportunities for people to enjoy them and so investing in a scheme like this has many benefits for us and our guests – we can see huge potential in the scheme in the future and hope others will join us”.

The scheme has already supported volunteer archaeology work, accessibility information and a new footbridge and has now been able to commit funds to a further suite of projects. These include an intensive survey programme to eradicate invasive Japanese knotweed from the National Park, work to conserve habitats for the rare and threatened fritillary butterflies, providing equipment and training for conservation volunteers and a programme of events providing opportunities to explore the National Park for disadvantaged communities (with all-ability equipment provided for less able people).

“The scheme has been a great success over the last four and a half years” said Dan James, Sustainable Economy Officer at the Exmoor National Park Authority who manages the scheme. “We are very grateful to all those that have invested in Exmoor in this way and are currently exploring ways to improve the scheme, and provide greater opportunities for donors to have a say in the projects funded by the scheme”.

The scheme allows those that enjoy and or benefit from Exmoor to invest in conservation and access projects for the benefit of all. Participants include businesses, event organisers, individuals, and communities who collect funds via a range of different methods.

New collection boxes made of Exmoor wood have been produced by the Local Woodshop in Minehead (formerly known as Truce). The boxes will also hold copies of the new Exmoor Pocket Guide which visitors will be able to pick up and make a donation to CareMoor.

Anyone interested in donating can find details online at www.exmoor-nationalpark.gov.uk/caremoor. New and existing supporters wanting to help shape the scheme in the future or who would like to host a collection box are encouraged to contact Dan James on 01398 322234 / caremoor@exmoor-nationalpark.gov.uk.