Meet Amy Roberts, the new North Devon Biosphere Animator for Chulmleigh, Ashreigney and Riddlecomb
Q. What does your role involve?
A. In a nutshell, it's about helping communities to achieve their nature recovery pledges and plans. Getting people into action; talking to young people about their plans for a green economy; working with people to come up with ideas.
Q. What attracted you to the job?
A. I really want to get more people of all types and ages interested in nature and the environment.
Q. What makes North Devon such a special region when it comes to connecting people and nature?
A. A lot of people come to Devon because of its nature, we are lucky to be blessed with amazing landscapes and unique niche environments that are habitats to some amazing creatures.
Q. Favourite part of the job so far?
A. Being able to indulge in helping nature recovery.
Q. Do you have a favourite place in North Devon?
A. Not really, although there are some very special spots that are just perfect to me and they are just a walk from my home. Of course there are lots of very special places around here.
Q. What are some of the best ways to connect with nature here?
A. So many different ways, literally from feeding the birds in your back garden (you can easily get gold finches, green finches, marsh tits, siskins, nuthatches, woodpeckers come to you in this area) to hiking across the moors and finding incredible valleys and woodlands, coastlines. So many ways to connect with nature in North Devon.
Q.
What is you favourite animal in North Devon?
A. I'm really into birds – I get huge pleasure seeing swifts in the summer… Also - Grasshopper Warbler - I’m always thrilled and amazed when I hear that they are in the Ashreigney area.
Q. What is your perfect weekend (when you aren’t working)?
A. Romping through undergrowth with binoculars.
Q. How can people get more involved in the Biosphere?
A. There are lots of events that are organised by the biosphere and its partners; lots of different community groups that are doing great things; you may want to visit some of the recommended places; you may need some advice; we are a friendly and helpful bunch of people.
Q. What are your hopes for the future?
A. That we have compulsory education of the natural world and sustainability so that future generations don’t struggle to understand the importance of what we have and what is at stake.