Not one, but two charities are celebrating their 25th anniversaries this year! South West Lakes Trust and Moor Trees are looking for volunteers for a special day of seed collecting at Venford to help create a more nature rich Dartmoor.
Gathering by Venford reservoir, volunteers can join the two charities, South West Lakes Trust and Moor Trees, on Sunday 12th October 2025 to find out how the site is being transformed from conifer plantation into native woodland and why this is important for nature and the climate.
South West Lakes Trust will give an insight into the history of the site and why they have made changes to the tree cover, and in the afternoon Moor Trees will lead the group on a seed collecting session in the nearby area, exploring established native woodland and more open areas of moorland nearby.
The two charities have worked together on a number of projects on Dartmoor over the last few years. The commercial conifer crop at Venford Reservoir on Dartmoor was felled in 2023, after reaching maturity. As part of the restoration of that woodland some natural regeneration was encouraged, but South West Lakes Trust also planted 1,000 new trees with the help of volunteers from Moor Trees and the local community.
Those attending the event on Sunday 12th October will be able to see where the new native woodland is now growing, and how it is providing connective habitat between the broad-leaved woodland on the west and north of the lake and the woodland below the dam, which runs through the valley.
James Platts, Chief Executive of South West Lakes Trust, says: “We are celebrating our 25th anniversary this year with a year-long programme of events until 31 March 2026. Fellow environmental charity Moor Trees are also celebrating their 25th anniversary this year, so it is a wonderful opportunity for us to mark this joint milestone with an event at Venford Reservoir on Dartmoor.
“The seeds collected from Venford will be taken back to the nurseries at Moor Trees where they will be prepared and planted, then grown into trees of local provenance ready to be planted back on Dartmoor – a lovely legacy that will last for years to come.”
Helen Aldis, Chief Executive at Moor Trees says: “Over the past 25 years our charities have benefited from the significant time and commitment from volunteers who have helped us in our goal to restore nature in the South West. Coming together on projects such as the restoration of Venford demonstrates the vital role of charities working in the landscape to create a mosaic of restored natural habitats for future generations to enjoy.
“Whilst celebrating our 25th anniversary, Moor Trees is focused on looking forward to the next 25 years with our vision for a wilder Dartmoor by 2050. If you love Dartmoor and love nature, then we encourage you to come along and get involved. Seed collecting is a wonderful way to be a part of Dartmoor’s future. The seeds collected today by volunteers will reach maturity over the next 25 years and become thriving woodlands of tomorrow.
This is a free event and no experience is necessary. To join this celebratory seed collecting on Dartmoor with South West Lakes Trust and Moor Trees please book your tickets via Moor Trees’ Eventbrite page: Seed Collecting with Moor Trees Tickets, Sun 12 Oct 2025 at 10:30 | Eventbrite
Volunteers on the day will be provided with some refreshments and once collected, the seeds (acorns, Hawthorn, Blackthorn, Holly and Alder Buckthorn berries, Birch seed and Crab Apples) will be processed and grown on by volunteers at Moor Trees’ Community Tree Nurseries at its regular Tuesday and Wednesday volunteering days, ready to breathe more life back into Dartmoor. In 25 years, the trees we plant will reach maturity. Join our 25for25 Challenge to help Moor Trees create thriving woodlands of the future 25 for 25 Challenge – Moor Trees
Images ©Moor Trees