Two volunteer 'wildlife wardens' have been recruited for Dawlish to help protect the area's natural habitats.

Dave Hutton and Scott Williams will be working to help wildlife thrive in fields, woodland, beaches, urban areas, green spaces and waterways in Dawlish and Dawlish Warren.

They're part of the Teignbridge-wide Wildlife Warden scheme set up by Action for Climate in Teignbridge, who plan to have wardens in each of the district's 54 parishes.

The aim is for the wardens to work closely with their local communities, town councils and the district council to record and monitor wild creatures and their habitats, and suggest ways these habitats can be protected or improved.

What will the wildlife wardens be doing?

Dave and Scott have already completed a biodiversity audit for the Dawlish Climate Declaration Working Group, and made contact with the town council, u3a and Dawlish Water Rotary. They plan to work with other eco groups and committees in the area.

Dave said: "The key is that we see the wardens acting on issues local to Dawlish Town Council area, which includes a wide variety of habitats, such as an SSSI at Dawlish Warren, a small area of lowland health on Little Haldon, countryside that is mostly livestock farming, a coastal strip and an urban environment."

They will also be surveying water quality at Dawlish Water and The Brook, and drawing up a Biodiversity Action Plan to plant trees to replace those that have been lost.

The wardens will be encouraging people to enjoy local wildlife and record their sightings of wild plants and animals, while respecting the natural habitats. They are promoting local walks and will be producing wildlife identification posters.

They'll be promoting environmentally friendly farming practices and identifying areas suitable for tree planting or rewilding.

They also plan to provide resources for local schools, publicise wildlife-friendly activities and education programmes, and promote Citizen Science schemes.

Dave said: "Our role will develop to reflect local issues and wildlife needs. There is a lot that is already being done and we aim to work with existing groups and individuals to connect, and pool resources and information.

"Dawlish is blessed with a significant variety of habitats. We look forward to working with Dawlish Town Council and the Climate Declaration Working party to help preserve and improve them."

For more information about the wildlife warden scheme and how to get involved, visit the Action for Climate in Teignbridge website

To contact Dawlish's wildlife wardens, email [email protected]