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Know How / Biodiversity

GROUNDSWELL

Badenoch signals more nature-focused Tory farm policy

Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch has signalled a more nature-focused approach to farming policy after making her first visit to Groundswell, saying future environmental measures should be shaped by farmers…

WILDLIFE

Supplementary feeding lifts winter farmland bird counts

Farms providing supplementary feeding recorded higher numbers of several farmland bird species that are in long-term national breeding decline, according to the latest Big Farmland Bird Count. The annual survey,…

BIODIVERSITY

AI birdsong trial maps pig and poultry farm biodiversity

Pilgrim’s Europe has completed a biodiversity monitoring trial across 40 livestock farms, using AI-powered birdsong technology to measure bird populations and wider ecosystem health. The project involved 10 broiler farms…

BIODIVERSITY

Nature-friendly farming on public display

Farmers across the UK have been opening their gates this week to showcase how nature-friendly farming can help improve resilience, food production and biodiversity. Nature Friendly Farming Week, running from…

BIODIVERSITY

Traders anticipate 'massive increase' in BNG demand

Traders and brokers are anticipating a “massive increase” in demand for biodiversity net gain (BNG) units, following confirmation by Defra that the requirement to deliver environmental improvements is being extended…

BIODIVERSITY

High Court finds Dartmoor stock assessments inadequate

The High Court has ruled that the Dartmoor Commoners’ Council (DCC) failed in its legal duty to properly assess livestock levels on Dartmoor Commons. The judicial review, heard in July…

WILDLIFE

Natural England confirms beaver release in the South West

Beavers are set to be released in South West England in the coming weeks, following approval by Natural England. Two further licences have been issued as part of a government…

ENVIRONMENT

Project enhances water quality for Conwy farmers

A collaborative nature project in north Wales is expected to deliver enhanced water quality and improved habitats for farms along the Afon Eidda in Conwy. The Uwch Conwy project, run…

ENVIRONMENT

Landscape Recovery: In conversation with Tony Juniper

Landscape Recovery – the third leg of Defra’s Environmental Land Management strategy – has been heralded as having a “critical” role to play in supporting environmentally sustainable food production in…

ENVIRONMENT

How Focus Farms are helping royal estate on regen journey

The Duchy of Cornwall has a long history of trying to do right by nature, with both the current Duke (Prince William) and his predecessor (King Charles) renowned for their…

ENVIRONMENT

How green outcomes can be delivered on a shoestring budget

In the heart of the Lake District, a group of 49 farmers has been testing whether environmental progress can be made without deep pockets. They are discovering just how far…

ARABLE

Herts farmer shows how production and biodiversity combine

A Hertfordshire arable farmer has won the prestigious Silver Lapwing Award for his long-standing commitment to species and habitat conservation. Andrew Bott of Finches Farm, Benington, was recognised by the…

WILDLIFE

Think tank disputes government data on farmland bird decline

A major government report suggesting UK farmland bird populations are in serious decline has been strongly challenged by the Science for Sustainable Agriculture (SSA) think tank, which says the data…

BIODIVERSITY

Free tools to help farmers monitor habitat and biodiversity

A new freely available app is helping farmers and landowners monitor biodiversity and manage habitat quality. The app, known as e-Surveyor, uses artificial intelligence (AI) to make ecological surveying more…

BIODIVERSITY

New habitat mapping tool to baseline biodiversity

A fully automated habitat mapping and site screening tool has been launched this week to deliver rapid ecological assessments in just minutes. Biodiversity mapping data company Gentian announced the launch…

BIODIVERSITY

Defra’s nature and food targets swayed by Land Use Framework

Defra is considering introducing varied support schemes for nature and food production in England, linked to location and land type, as a result of recommendations in the Land Use Framework.…

BIODIVERSITY

27 acoustic sensors to monitor pollinators in beet crops

A network of 27 acoustic sensors is being installed at a large farming estate in North Norfolk, as part of a joint project between British Sugar and York-based agri-tech company…

BIODIVERSITY

What bioacoustics means for farm habitats and biodiversity

Using sensors and smart listening technology to understand more about on-farm habitats and the biodiversity they support is coming to a field near you. Known as bioacoustics, it combines biology…

ENVIRONMENT

South Downs National Park launches policy consultation

Farmers operating within the South Downs National Park will be expected to plant more trees, help clean watercourses, and provide better public access as part of a new Partnership Management…