What makes Dartmoor such a special place for nature is its mosaic of interconnected habitats, on a scale found nowhere else in southern Britain. Ascend through pasture and hay meadows, beside fast-flowing rivers, through ancient woodlands and skirting valley mire onto open heath and remote blanket bog. Many species rely on more than one of these habitats to complete their life-cycle, while others are specialists, sometimes rare enough to be of international importance.

“I find thinking initially in terms of habitat is a good way to make sense of nature; what grows and lives in certain conditions and why, and how that all fits together, so many of my nature days are habitat-focused. Public nature days are aimed at beginners and assume no previous knowledge. You will learn but you won’t be bombarded with facts. The aim isn’t to learn lots of species names but to get an overview of the topic, in order to better understand and appreciate it; and above all to enjoy it.” — Geri Skeens