In celebration of International Day for Biological Diversity (22 May), we look at three projects that have helped to promote biodiversity and keep our donkeys happy at our Sidmouth headquarters.
The importance of biodiversity
Boosting biodiversity is an essential part of what we do to support our resident herds of donkeys.
Our environment's health is reflected in its diversity and abundance. An environment enriched with various flora and fauna is as essential for donkeys as it is for humans.
Biodiverse environments provide nutritional benefits and contribute to donkeys' mental and emotional wellbeing by enabling them to engage in natural behaviours. This means that donkeys benefit when the land and biological diversity are protected and well cared for.
Winter hedge laying: supporting wildlife and donkey enrichment
Hedge laying is a seasonal job carried out over winter when the shrubs and trees are dormant, and the birds have finished nesting. Our Ecology and Conservation team uses a centuries-old method of managing hedges: partially cutting the hedge stems with hand tools before angling them a few inches from the ground.
This sustainable management practice improves the hedge's health and longevity. As it grows back denser, it creates a refuge for wildlife, offering safer nesting sites and routes for small animals to move around the landscape. The hedges also provide natural barriers, offering shade, shelter, and safety to our donkeys.
Our team and volunteers have laid hundreds of metres of hedges at our sanctuary sites. The hawthorn and hazel offcuts are offered to the resident donkeys to chomp on, providing them with well-received enrichment.
Pascal Bisson, our Apprentice Ecology and Conservation Officer, says: "In their native arid climates, donkeys may spend a lot of time foraging on nutrient-poor, coarse and fibrous vegetation. Here in Devon, hedges and woody vegetation allow our donkeys to express natural foraging behaviour that also provides them with a high-fibre diet, keeping them happy and healthy."
Healthy soil for happy donkeys
Healthy soil is crucial for supporting robust ecosystems and ensuring a thriving environment. Recognising this, we actively work to improve soil quality and structure across our sanctuary and farms.
After aerating the paddock, the team sowed the seeds, allowing air, water and nutrients to penetrate the soil. As their roots penetrate deeply into the soil, they break up compacted layers, improve aeration and encourage water and nutrients to cycle through. This strategy combats soil compaction and promotes a healthier ecosystem, offering enhanced drought and flood tolerance benefits.
When the miniature donkeys return, their hooves will help to naturally disperse seeds and create the conditions for a more diverse grassland, allowing delicate grasses and wildflowers to thrive.
Ruth Angell, The Donkey Sanctuary's Ecology and Conservation Manager, says: "Our donkeys depend on grassland for their food and day-to-day living environment, and they share many needs with the wildlife we encounter on our sanctuary farms.
"We are exploring ways to improve soil health at our sanctuary to provide donkeys and wildlife with healthy habitats both now and for the future."
Biodiversity in traditional apple orchards
Traditional orchards like this one are crucial for biodiversity, with different habitats like woodland, hedgerows and meadow grassland attracting various species, from butterflies to bats. Since the 1950s, 90 percent of these orchards have vanished due to neglect or conversion, negatively impacting biodiversity.
One unique aspect of the project is the involvement of the resident donkeys. They strip the bark from willow stakes, preventing them from taking root while providing valuable support for the young apple trees. The donkeys and mules graze in the orchard during summer, offering natural shade and reducing overgrowth.
As part of recycling efforts, old collars from the herds are used as tree ties, reducing waste.
Steve Oram from PTES remarked: "Traditional orchards like Town Barton combine our cultural heritage with a wonderful biodiverse habitat. They are essential for the survival of our heritage fruit trees and struggling wildlife."
