Plant trees and meet Rexy the dinosaur
Published: 7 February 2023
People are being invited to help plant trees in a country park just outside Exeter. There’s even a chance to meet a 4-metre high T-Rex called Rexy!
The event takes place on Saturday (11 February) on the outskirts of the city, just east of Minerva Country Park and west of Cranbrook.
Organiser East Devon District Council has joined forces with Clyst Valley farmer Henry Gent to create a new woodland and is calling on people from the city to help out.
Rexy and his little brother Gordon will be fun for the children but the event has a serious message too. Everyone knows what happened to the dinosaurs and society needs to act quickly on the climate and nature emergency.
The planting is on the New Red Sandstone from the Triassic period. Dinosaurs were around from the late Triassic, when a species called Gordonia traquari lived. Gordonia looked like an armour-plated dog.
The trees being planted on Saturday will include oaks, alders and aspen. Shrubs will include alder, buckthorn, hazel and hawthorns. All are brilliant for wildlife and should thrive on the site in the warming climate.
Organisers are hoping to get everyone into a heart shape to be filmed from the air, creating a special Valentine’s Day message that everyone has come together for the love of trees.
All ages are welcome, though children must be supervised at all times by an adult. It's all free and volunteers will be shown how it's done. Equipment will be provided, but people are asked to bring a spade and gloves if they have them. The planting site is a marshy field so wellington boots are essential.
Limited parking is available with a short walk from the car park. The site is within walking distance of Tithebarn through the Minerva Country Park. Bus service B to Tithebarn Way gets people to within a third of a mile flat walk to the planting site.
Booking is essential where full instructions will be provided. Visit the Eventbrite site to book tickets https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/plant-a-wood-in-the-clyst-valley-regional-park-tickets-464215740777
Toilets are provided. Unfortunately, the site is not suitable for mobility scooters or prams. Please do not bring dogs.