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Mike’s StoryAs Dartmoor National Park celebrates its 60th Anniversary, the Sticklepath and Okehampton Conservation Group (StOC) celebrates its 20th. As a Dartmoor enthusiast, becoming a volunteer with the StOC, seemed the natural thing to do. The group aims to help improve the local environment within a radius of about 12 - 15 miles of Sticklepath/ Okehampton (northern part of Dartmoor National Park).
We set out to do this by encouraging the commitment of local people who want to learn about, care for and work at improving our environment in practical ways. These projects can be very interesting and informative, as in the case of exposing the outlines of the medieval village at Saxon Gate by removing the invading gorse. A member of the Dartmoor National Park Authority’s Archaeological service brought the site to life with plans and explanations.
Our local Ranger explained about the management and ecology of wetlands, which gave added purpose to the construction of a boardwalk across Pixie’s Moor on the northeast slopes of Cosdon. This project took many sessions to complete but gave a path across an important and beautiful site, passable at all times of the year and eliminated the damage done by walkers creating multiple paths when trying to find a way through. Bridge construction, stiles and gateways, walling and hedging projects are all enthusiastically undertaken, with tuition from the Rangers and Devon Rural Skills Trust, where necessary. In suitable locations we have installed boxes for birds, bats and dormice, improved habitats for butterflies and dragonflies and assisted in a number of tree planting schemes.
Volunteering on Dartmoor is great fun, although working at Meldon on a cold, wet, windy day in February can become more of an endurance test and a competition to see who can be in charge of the bonfire! It is all vital work in the maintenance and enjoyment of our beautiful National Park.
The group is open to all people regardless of age, experience or disability. We meet every Friday in the car park at Finch Foundry, Sticklepath at 10 am. New volunteers are welcome.
If you have been inspired by Mike’s story and would like to find out more about local groups and the variety of volunteering opportunities on Dartmoor, call Robert Steemson on 01626 832093 or by email rsteemson@dartmoor.gov.uk (office hours only).
Voluntary Wardens
Our present Voluntary Warden scheme was set up in 1996 and is managed by the Ranger Service. Currently there are 40, generally locally based, Wardens who are assigned to a Sector Ranger.
They assist the Rangers with their duties and provide an extra element of liaison with the community in the area to which they are assigned. They advise and assist visitors to the National Park, help promote quiet enjoyment and understanding of Dartmoor’s special qualities and carry out occasional practical projects. Their work is often specific to the requirements of their particular Sector.
If you would like any further information about the service then please contact the Head Ranger, Robert Steemson (rsteemson@dartmoor.gov.uk)
The Ranger Service is organising practical work days for anyone to join in you can view these on the opportunties for volunteering page.
To find out more about other organisation's opportunities for volunteering, follow the links below:
- Tavistock Taskforce
- Sticklepath and Okehampton Conservation Group
- Dartmoor Tinworking Research Group
- Dartmoor Preservation Association
- Chagford Conservation Group
- Bovey Valley Volunteer Network
- Moor Trees (external link, opens new window)
If you are really keen you could probably fill every day of the week by volunteering for all of these groups!
