GWCT News Blog

There has been much written in scientific journals about how conservation is influenced by changing values and beliefs, and the increasingly held view that animals and humans are equal sentient beings resulting in compassionate conservation approaches and ultimately calls for animal personhood. This results in concerns about the management of some species, such as when controlling predators or pests. But are these values and attitudes applied to all animals equally?

Defra have recently updated the guidance for the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) scheme. These updates aim to provide clearer instructions and expand the options available to farmers and land managers.

Farm safety is crucial, and Lantra has made it easier for farmers to access vital training by offering their comprehensive e-learning course for free. This initiative comes in response to alarming statistics showing high numbers of fatalities and serious injuries in the farming industry.

The Curlew Connections Wales project is yet another example of how working collaboratively with farmers and providing support is proving to be beneficial for breeding curlew.

Elin Thomas (GWCT Cymru Agriculture and Conservation Officer), Lee Oliver (Director for GWCT Cymru) and Sue Evans from GWCT Cymru attended the recent Da Byw Sustainable Livestock Farming Confernece at Coed Coch Farm, Denbighshire.

Eleanor Williams looks at the Big Farmland Bird Count as it celebrates its 10th birthday.

John Szczur reports on unprecedented rain which has damaged habitats and put harvest in doubt. John Szczur is the ecologist at our Allerton Project farm. He is passionate about wildlife and how to help farmers combat climate change.

Open Farm Sunday has been taking place in June every year since 2006, and this year the GWCT took part in several events across the country. The day provides an opportunity for farmers to share their fabulous work with all ages, by opening their farms to the general public, and showcasing the many goods and services they provide.

The latest season of Springwatch on BBC One praised farmers in the Martin Down Farmer Cluster for their hard work in restoring biodiversity and supporting wildlife across their land at a landscape scale.

Elin Thomas, GWCT Cymru’s Agriculture and Conservation Officer, along with Lee Oliver, Director for Wales, attended the Sustainable Grass and Muck Event at Aberystwyth Uni’s Trawsgoed Farm, Aberystwyth last Thursday as part of Ceredigion’s County Events in the run up to the Royal Welsh Show.