Slapton Ley Field Centre, Torcross
Slapton Ley Field Centre
Slapton Ley is a virtually unique habitat, created by an extremely rare set of environmental circumstances – a freshwater lake fed by five streams within a few metres of the sea, protected by a shifting shingle bank.
The Lagoon was formed nearly 3,000 years ago and is constantly changing, as the shingle bank moves ever-closer to the land.
The Slapton Ley Field Centre, run by the Field Studies Council, manages the 214 hectare site around the Ley – and promotes understanding of it through studies and residential courses for students of all ages, but especially A-level and university students.
The FSC is an educational charity committed to bringing environmental understanding to all.
It was established in 1943, and has become internationally respected for its national network of 17 centres similar to Slapton Ley, its outreach training projects, research programmes, information and publication services and wide range of professional training and leisure courses.
The field centre was started in 1959 by the FSC, and a team of 30 work there, and Andy Pratt, a Geography graduate from Coventry in 1995, is Centre Manager.
His enthusiasm shines through for the role as we chat in the Field Centre reception, housed in a former Edwardian Vicarage.
‘I think what I’m constantly amazed by is the intricate and delicate links between the species of plant and animal we have here and the habitat,’ he says. ‘The team here is so hard working and everyone here seems to be doing it because they love the place –it’s a genuine vocation for most of us – it’s a pleasure to be part of it.’
With more than 3,000 types of lichen, and 500 separate plant species within the reserve, the area is more than a beautiful haven for plants and wildlife: it is the perfect place to study biodiversity – or how many different species in one place affects the environment.
There are several rare species which thrive in the Ley, thanks to the protection the reserve gives over a number of years. This also has contributed to its large breeding populations of kingfishers, reed warblers, sedge warblers, great crested grebe, swans and tufted ducks. There is also a nationally important population of Cetti’s warbler breeding in the fen woodland fringing the Ley.
More than that, its uniqueness and beauty mean it attracts thousands to visit. In students alone, more than 20,000 bed nights are generated by the centre each year. Biology students can study ecosystems, geography students can study river systems and the affects of the shifting shingle bank.
‘It is the largest natural freshwater lake in the South West and the proximity of the shingle ridge is so rare. The unique nature of all these different features and the huge amount of lichen, plant and animal species we have here makes Slapton one of the most studied nature reserves in Britain.
‘About two thirds of our visitors each year are geography and biology A-level students on four and five day residential visits, a quarter are university students and the rest are individuals and families.
‘People don’t realise how important the shingle beach is or how rare and amazing some of the species that live on it are. We have yellow horned poppies and other amazing plants that have adapted to live in poor soil on a ridge which is exposed with lots of salty wind, which I find amazing.’
With the variable areas around the Slapton site, including five separate streams – the Gara, the Slapton Wood Stream, the Village stream, the Start Stream and the grandly named Stokeley Barton Stream – the habitats available for students to look at and learn from is massive. Science and biology students can come and have five day residential courses where they cover a huge variety of experiments and observational exercises.
‘This is a place that inspires you to look at the environment and how interconnected everything in nature is,’ said Andy. ‘Students can gain a whole new perspective not only on their specialist studies, but also why they want to study the environment. I’m proud to work for an organisation, and also to work in a place that inspires thousands of people each year to work for the better of the environment.
‘It’s a beautiful and exciting place to work and study.’
Visit the website for further information.
First Published September 2011 By The Dart