A CELEBRATION of Exmoor’s trees and woodlands is being held on Thursday (August 18) at a ‘Seed to Sawmill’ event in Exford.

It takes place at Exmoor National Park Authority’s (ENPA) newly-established tree nursery, which has received funding from Devon Environment Foundation and Devon Communities Fund, and its long-standing field services team yard.

Visitors will be able to see where trees are being grown to supply Exmoor’s future woodlands and explore where the iconic footpath signs are handmade.

A number of groups and organisations will also take part whose livelihood and passion is trees and the timber products that come from them.

There will also be a range of stalls in the meadow beside the tree nursery.

Visitors will hae an opportunity to tour the yard wand see how the field services team looks after the 620 miles of public paths and bridleways across Exmoor and makes the wooden gates, stiles, and signposts so familiar to walkers.

There will be activities for all the family, including a range of fun activities for children, as well as demonstrations by local craft workers.

The tree nursery also needs help in gathering tree seed to create Exmoor’s future woodlands.

National park treescapes officer Robin Offer said: “Trees provide so many environmental benefits from capturing carbon to improving water quality, as well as being a sustainable construction material.

“On Exmoor we want to help establish a resilient, more wooded landscape that can provide all of these benefits into the future in the face a changing climate.

“Our new nursery and existing depot in Exford will enable us to grow the right trees for the right place, some of which may have a second life in the Exmoor landscape as a gate or bridge - from seed to sawmill.”

Devon Environment Foundation executive director Amanda Keetley said: “We were delighted to fund ENPA’s tree nursery that collects native seeds and grows locally resilient saplings to meet the urgent need for tree planting in the area.

“It is wonderful to provide the local community with a tangible way to tackle the climate and nature crises.

“Our great hope is that other groups will take inspiration and learnings from the project to start-up similar nurseries all over Devon and beyond.”

The free event runs from 11 am to 3 pm and is signposted from Exford’s main car park, which is also free.