Farming for
A Living Landscape
Avon’s Wildflower Grasslands Achieving landscape-scale change This project demonstrates how value can be added to agri-environment schemes through ongoing liaison with landowners and the engagement of volunteers in practical conservation work in the wider countryside. A spatial approach is being used to target work on land that contributes to core habitat areas and develop the surrounding network to provide links across the landscape.
Identifying and managing wildflower grasslands Since the project began in 2008, Avon Wildlife Trust has surveyed more than 2,000 ha of land on 162 farms. This activity identified 820 ha of species-rich grassland, 146 ha of which was not recorded before the project started. A further 642 ha of semi-improved grassland was identified as having restoration potential. Traditional management of speciesrich grasslands involves cutting for hay and/or grazing with livestock.
Animals that graze on a mixed diet of grasses and broadleaved species are often healthier, with the lower input costs giving an economic benefit to the landowner as well as a positive benefit for ecosystem services. Combining gains for wildlife with potential commercial benefits for landowners is a high priority for the project. In most instances, Higher Level Stewardship (HLS) is the preferred route for funding grassland management and restoration work.
The project team has so far secured 14 HLS agreements covering more than 600 ha. The project’s grassland survey results and recommendations have led to a further 5 HLS agreements. Where there is land that is not suitable for an agri-environment scheme, the Trust provides some funding for work such as scrub management, fencing to re-introduce grazing and green hay or wildflower seeding to increase species diversity.
Protecting Wildlife for the Future