REPRESENTATIVES from a major conservation project attended a special event in London last week to mark two years of England's Nature Improvement Area (NIA) programme – and to ask the Government to continue its support of its crucial work in Devon. The Northern Devon NIA covers a 72,000 hectare area of the county that includes Okehampton, Hatherleigh and Winkleigh. It is one of 12 partnership projects which were created in 2012 following a competitive bidding process for a share of £7.5-million new funding from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and Natural England. The aim of NIAs is to improve the landscape for people and nature through restoring, expanding and joining up wildlife-rich areas. The South West only has two NIAs, one in Northern Devon and one in Purbeck. The forum in London enabled the 12 NIA partnership groups from across England to share details and learning on the wide-ranging work they are doing to restore nature on a landscape scale, and their plans for the future. But NIAs may not continue into 2015 without further Government support. The Northern Devon NIA manager, Lisa Schneidau, said: 'Thanks to the efforts of a huge number of farmers, communities and organisations working with us, the Northern Devon NIA has made a real difference for the river Torridge catchment in its first two years. 'The project has generated over £4- million to support action for the environment by local people. Without the catalyst of financial support from Government, none of this action would have happened. 'Yet we have barely started, and there is much yet to do. Our current funding finishes in March 2015. We urge the Government to continue its financial contribution to Nature Improvement Areas. This support is crucial for the restoration of a healthy, wildlife-rich landscape in the Torridge catchment in the long term.' Since April 2012 the Northern Devon NIA has worked with local landowners throughout 72,000 hectares of the Torridge catchment, within the North Devon Biosphere Reserve. Devon Wildlife Trust is the lead partner. Effort has been concentrated on offering advice and resources, to help local landowners manage wildflower (Culm) grassland, wetland and woodland, improve water quality in local watercourses, and engage local people in all aspects of the environment. So far the project team has helped 226 landowners, who in turn have restored over 1,200 hectares of land for wildlife. The project's work with communities so far has generated over 100 events, 33 school visits, over 3,000 volunteer hours and two theatre projects.  Lisa and project partners presented the main achievements of the project to an audience at the forum which includes Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Natural Environment and Science Lord de Mauley, Professor Sir John Lawton and Natural England Chair Andrew Sells. Lisa said: 'We still have six months of the current project to go — and everyone can get involved. Whether you are a land manager, a budding wildlife surveyor, a parish or community group, a school, or you simply want to find out more about your local environment — if you live or work in the river Torridge catchment, we'd love to hear from you.' The Northern Devon NIA team can be contacted on 01409 221823 or [email protected]">[email protected] For more information, visit the website http://www.devonwildlifetrust.org/northern-devon-nature-improvement-area/">www.devonwildlifetrust.org/northern-devon-nature-improvement-area/