Improving farmland habitats for biodiversity

Farming with the environment to improve habitats for wild flowers, insects, birds and mammals is more important than ever before for British farmers.

With the threat of enforced compulsory set aside from 2012, farmers seeking advice on how to improve farmland habitats for wildlife should make a date with Flora locale workshops.

Field edge strips sown with wild flowers and grasses provide essential habitats for invertebrates, birds and mammals. Grasses can be useful to prevent soil erosion and diffuse water-course pollution after heavy rain.

Flora locale, the charity that promotes the restoration of wild plants for biodiversity, landscapes and people is working with the Grazing Advice Partnership and the Small Woods Association to provide 28 one-day events across Britain – many of them ideal for farmers and land managers.

Topics this year include:

• Managing and identifying arable plant populations

• Grazing with carbon and wildlife in mind

• Pigs for land management

• Restoring and managing old orchards

Woodland events include propagating and planting tree seeds for woodland creation, woodland flora in new and established woods and managing ancient trees.

"Farmers joining the Campaign for the Farmed Environment or considering the Entry Level Stewardship or Higher Level Stewardship schemes will find these workshops very helpful," says Sue Clarke Flora locale training programme developer.

"Experienced practitioners lead all the events and they’re held on site, so that people get a good idea of what works and what doesn’t. Last year more than 400 people attended the Flora locale workshops – which is testament to the expert facilitators and range of topics covered."