Oxford Farming Conference: Farmers spearhead big scale conservation

A new and unique wildlife scheme created by farmers was outlined by farmer Chris Musgrave at the Oxford Farming Conference.


The Marlborough Down Nature Improvement Area is a perfect example of farmers taking control and collective responsibility for delivering benefits to wildlife and the local rural community, said Chris Musgrave.


The Marlborough Down  NIA is made up of a consortium of 42 farmers who have put 10,000ha of their own land into the scheme.


“Despite decades of countryside and wildlife schemes habitats and species have continued to decline simply because the efforts are just too piecemeal to have a lasting positive impact,” he said.


The NIA is unique. It is one of 12 Natural England higher level stewardship schemes, but the only farmer controlled one.


The NIA is a registered charity with a farmer board, clear objectives, a project manager and £555,090 grant.


The group have reintroduced traditional clay-lined dew ponds which have now become a magnet for wildlife in what has hitherto been too dry a landscape.


The necklace of dew ponds are linked by wildlife corridors of chalk grassland, wildlife fields margins and shrub. The group are sharing tried and tested methods for best wildlife effect and sharing what they are doing with everyone around them.


Farmers must embrace a wider vision to explore and utilise all the assets in their business, deliver value to the farm, society and the landscape, urged Mr Musgrave.


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