We take our commitment to the environment very seriously and have a strict environmental and conservation policy. We live in a beautiful conservation area, and take the environment into account in all aspects of our daily lives.

Our farm is a Grade II Listed National Trust property, situated within Exmoor National Park. The area is designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, is a Site of Special Scientific Interest, and is a Conservation Area. Conservation is paramount in all our activities, and we aim to be as sustainable as possible. We can all make a small difference and try to ensure a future for our grandchildren.

We use only FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) timbers, carefully sourcing new furniture with the FSC logo, and ensuring all new timbers used in aviary construction also carry the same logo. From 2010 all promotional material will be sourced with this sustainable forest logo. Look out for this logo on your own purchases.

We recycle materials as far as the West Somerset Council will allow, enjoy home grown vegetables where possible, source all 0ur food locally, and ensure that we support only local suppliers. All our home grown produce is grown organically, and our herbs are certified organic by the Soil Association.

Our winter heating is supplied by solid fuel. Our coal is derived from nearby south Wales mines, and our timber is locally purchased. We currently have several trees that will be cut for firewood, and we have a tree planting programme for 2009/2010 for over 80 trees for future coppicing, and cutting for firewood. This programme will be ongoing and totally renewable and sustainable in the future.

All new electrical appliances carry the A or AA Grade efficiency rating. Our correspondence with guests is now by email predominantly, saving approximately 100 first class mailings per month. In 2009 our electicity consumption has been reduced by 33%.

Our gardens are a demonstration of environmental awareness. Our Owl Garden is planted to demonstrate native trees between the aviaries. The aviaries themselves are presented in a way to simulate the owls' natural habitat as far as possible. Our Herb Garden is designed to show traditional herbs, culinary herbs, a scented garden, flowers grown for the house and for drying, a wildlife garden with pond and a Mediterranean garden. Here you will find a magnificent Passiflora covering the south facing wall! And salad plants you never thought of eating!

A recent biodiversity survey has revealed the local presence of many nationally endangered species, including Peregrines, Barn Owls, Greater Horseshoe Bats, Great crested Newts, smooth newts, Badger setts and Otters. The heron visits our fields regularly, woodpeckers to the bird table, and egret along the river. Kingfisher, dipper and now rare bullfinch are commonly seen across the farm. Birds of prey sighted in the local area include the peregrine falcon, red kite, five species of owl, hen harrier, common buzzard, sparrowhawk and hobby, amongst others.

From time to time we have the opportunity of helping local wildlife by rescue and rehabilitation. Each year we assist several birds of pey and owls back to good health and ultimate release into the countryside. In 2009 alone we have taken in 3 tawny owls, a juvenile buzzard, a juvenile peregrine falcon, and a mallard duckling. In the past we have rehabilitated a hobby, several buzzards and tawny owls, a roe deer, fallow deer and red deer, and numerous small birds such as swallows, blackbirds and pigeons.

We raise money to help with this work, animal housing and local habitat protection work by flying the birds to your fist for a £1 donation. This year alone we have raised over £2000, and a donation has already been given to the Somerset Wildlife Trust for their Bluebell Woods Appeal, and for the purchase of Catcombe Meadow for barn owls and other wildlife. The Hawk and Owl Trust have also been sent a donation for xxxxxxxxxxx to protect the natural habitat for hobbies.

We encourage education at all levels when you visit with us, and welcome all learning abilities, and all ages, to experience the world of owls, a wonderful environment, and natural habitat for a wealth of local wildlife.

Our morning Owl Show, demonstrating Northern Hemisphere Owls, is unrivalled for its educational and creative presentation. The barn is a medieval threshing barn, with a 'barn owl window' - a fitting setting for displaying and flying owls, that can so much be the farmers friend. The owls are individually introduced with a slide show set to music, with their natural history and methods and hunting, and then they are flown to music, demonstrating their natural flying and pouncing abilities. We welcome local school participation, school visits, and educational groups.

Our afternoon Rainforest display of an annotated slide show, and the flying of rainforest owls, is both educational and inspirational. The slides tell their own story of the tropical rainforest, its destruction, and hope for the future, with the owls of South America flying together in this amazing setting.