Wildlife odyssey for Mary, 91
A91-YEAR-OLD woman is walking 91 miles and visiting all 50 of a wildlife charity’s nature reserves.
Mary Truell, who lives in the East Devon village of Lympstone, has made the commitment after becoming concerned about the growing threats to local wildlife.
“I want to do this to raise awareness of the issues which face nature,” she said.
Her efforts have raised nearly £4,500 for Devon Wildlife Trust already.
Reaching all 50 Devon Wildlife Trust nature reserves is a logistical challenge in itself. The reserves span the county, taking in some of its most spectacular countryside, from the rocky coasts of North Devon, across rolling farmland, river valleys, high moorland and woodlands, to the dry heathlands of East Devon.
However, Mrs Truell isn’t satisfied with simply visiting these nature havens. She has challenged herself to explore each on foot, covering a
total of 91 miles to match her age.
“I’m doing this challenge to raise awareness of the importance of protecting our natural environment and the urgent necessity for us all to reconnect with nature,” she said.
“I also want to help support the work of the Devon Wildlife Trust as it champions the cause of the local environment.”
Mrs Truell began her adventure in May this year and has so far visited 30 of the 50 nature reserves. Highlights have included spending time among swathes of Dartmoor bluebells at Emsworthy nature reserve; listening to skylarks at Teigngrace Meadow reserve near Chudleigh, and discovering the solitude of Hawkswood reserve near Honiton.
Having spent much of her married life abroad, Mrs Truell also sees her challenge as a great way of getting to know her adopted county of Devon better.
“I travelled a great deal,” Mrs Truell said. “My late husband George was in the army so raising a family meant life in Ethiopia and Malaysia. We came to Devon in 1988. Together we walked many miles of its countryside trying to get a fuller understanding of this greatly diverse
I’m doing this challenge to raise awareness of the importance of protecting our natural environment
and exciting part of England.
“I realise now how little I understood about where I walked. Our feet learned the terrain, our lungs were cleansed with fresh air and our hearts gladdened by the scenic beauty.
“But what about our heads? Do we really understand why it is so vital we stop destroying our companions in nature?” Steve Hussey from the wildlife trust said: “Mary is a remarkable person.
“Her passion for local wildlife has fuelled her sense of adventure and I’m so thankful that she has chosen Devon Wildlife Trust as the beneficiary.
“I have accompanied Mary on several of her visits to our nature reserves and she combines great determination with a deep interest in the natural world around her. She is an inspiration.”
Mrs Truell hopes to complete her 91-mile challenge this autumn.
People can support her efforts by making a donation atvirginmoneygiving.com/MaryTruell or by sending a cheque made out to ‘Devon Wildlife Trust’ to Devon Wildlife Trust, Commercial Road, Exeter, EX2 4RB. Mark the back of the cheque ‘Mary Truell challenge’.