Home / About North Devon / Green Tourism

Green Tourism

North Devon is very proud of its stunning environment and takes every opportunity to maintain and protect it.

The region is made up of several distinct landscape types - including moorland, sanddunes, woodland, beaches, rolling hills and farmland.

171 sq km of North Devon is made up of Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and we also have World Class UNESCO Biosphere Reserve Status for Braunton Burrows and the Taw and Torridge estuary due to their exceptional beauty and vulnerability.

To ensure the continued beauty and protection of the land, our councils provide some of the best recycling schemes in the country, conservation projects are continually carried out by the Devon Wildlife Trust, and our tourism businesses ensure their business activities are carried out in a way that maintains the beauty of the region.

To highlight the best performing Green businesses in the area, the North Devon Marketing Bureau also awards 'Commitment to the Environment' Awards each year those businesses who show their dedication to protecting and maintaining the natural beauty of this special area. The winner of the 2007 award was Hidden Valley Park.

To make sure that our work isn't in vain, we ask our visitors to help us to keep North Devon beautiful.

Here are some ways that you can help...

1. 1. Buy local produce - It's fresher, often organic and reduces food miles
2. 2. Walk or cycle instead of drive - save on pollution and enjoy the beautiful scenery at the same time!
3. 3. Follow the Countryside Code - take litter with you, clean up after your dogs, and leave gates as you find them
4. 4. Save energy wherever possible - turn off unused lights etc
5. 5. Recycle or reuse your waste where possible
6. 6. Respect the landscape, wildlife and beauty of North Devon
7. 7. Raise your own awareness of the local environment - take time to read and listen and learn about the North Devon environment from exhibitions, publications and locals!!
8. 8. Offset your carbon emissions from your holiday by visiting www.co2balance.com
9. 9. Look out for businesses who display the Green Tourism Business Scheme award. These businesses have made a commitment to improving the environment sustainability of their business and will help to make your holiday a 'Green Tourism Experience'.

Links:

E-Postcards - Send a friend an email postcard and help save the environment too. This service is free and we've got a great range of e-cards to choose from!

Future Footprints - Keeping the South West special.