GWCT News Blog

Whilst there was much to be positive about in the recent announcement by the Defra Secretary of State on the 2024 SFI offer in terms of its support for farming, we are disappointed that the opportunity was not taken to include measures in the ELMS to reduce predation pressure to facilitate species recovery.

The GWCT is delighted that the headline of the EFRA report following its soil health inquiry is that government should take soil health as seriously as it does our other critical assets of water and air.

‘Regenerative’ agriculture is seen by some as perhaps only the latest buzzword in a long line of farming systems: organic; conventional; conservation; sustainable intensification; agroecological.

Using the term ‘killing’ rather than ‘management’ would not be my choice when discussing the merits of removing one species to protect another. But I chose it here as it refers to the headings of two recent articles in the Guardian that demonstrate the value of control. Both epitomise the challenge that conservation has in addressing public values and attitudes towards the management of pests, invasive species and native predators.

In a world grappling with the urgent need to combat climate change, the agricultural sector is stepping up to the challenge with innovative ideas and collaborative efforts. One example of this is the Climate Neutral Farms project.

When you think of the GWCT, images of pheasants, partridges, and maybe even lapwings come to mind. But there’s something we deeply care about that might surprise you: soil.

This event will highlight to landowners and land managers the financial and other benefits that trees and woodlands can provide; demonstrate some of the key considerations around creating, protecting and managing woodlands and highlight the range of support and funding available.

That hedges are good for wildlife & the character of our countryside is already well recognised. However, few appreciate that their linear, three-dimensional structure also means they can capture carbon at twice the rate of woodland.

The GWCT Allerton Project is looking for ten wheat farmers in the Nestlé/Purina supply chain in the East (Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire and Northants) to work together to baseline, trial, train, benchmark, network and innovate their way towards net zero.

Environmental organisations are calling for more land designations in their first annual progress report on the Government’s commitment to protect 30% of land and sea by 2030. However, designations in themselves will not achieve what they seek - the restoration of biodiversity.