Working with landowners - projects
Isle of Wight
Landowner advice has been a core part of the Wildlife Trust's work on the Island since 1998.
The importance of the population of red squirrels gave rise to the Isle of Wight Red Squirrel Project, which visited 81 landowners and led to the success of the JIGSAW tree planting scheme. This scheme, administered by the Forestry Commission, created 192ha of new native woodland across the Isle of Wight between 2001 and 2005.
In 2004, with Leader+ funding, the Isle of Wight Living Landscapes Project was launched and the Wildlife Trust undertook a wide programme of visits, walks and talks to promote the benefits of environmentally friendly farming for Island wildlife. In the first three years we talked to 113 farmers and helped them apply for 83 different grants, including Higher Level Stewardship, England Woodland Grant Scheme and Isle of Wight AONB Small Grant Fund schemes. These projects raised over £2.5 million for the local economy but also helped a wide variety of plants and animals to flourish, including red squirrel, common dormouse, brown hare, water vole, corn bunting, lapwing, skylark, nightjar, small pearl-bordered fritillary, reddish buff moth, wood calamint, narrow-leaved lungwort and cornflower to name but a few.
The Isle of Wight Living Landscapes Project continues to provide a high quality advice service to farmers, landowners and other members of the public who are keen to support wildlife on their land through environmentally friendly techniques in land management and animal husbandry.
Please contact Lucy Temple on 01983 533180 or feedback@hwt.org.uk for more information.
New Forest and Avon Valley
Thanks to support from the New Forest National Park Authority and Wessex Water, the Wildlife Trust is able to provide free advice to farmers, Commoners and landowners within the New Forest and the Avon Valley. Assistance can be given with Entry and Higher Level Stewardship, England Woodland Grant Scheme and Single Payment Scheme.
If you are a farmer, landowner or Commoner in the area and you would like assistance please contact Ian Stone or Rhys Morgan on 023 80 424205 or email feedback@hwt.org.uk.
Loddon Farm Advice
View details on on Loddon Farm Advice page.
South East Otters and Rivers Programme
Graham Roberts, the Wildlife Trust’s Water for Wildlife Officer, has been championing the cause for otter and watervole conservation for more than 25 years. Funded by the Environment Agency, Graham works with land owners, farmers fishery interests and Local Authorities to improve the management of rivers and watercourses throughout Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. This unique project enables the Wildlife Trust to act as a bridge between the Environment Agency, Natural England and private landowners, an approach that has produced dramatic results. If you are a riparian landowner and would like advice about managing your rivers or land please contact Graham Roberts on 01489 774428 or email feedback@hwt.org.uk.
Upper Test, North Wessex Downs and East Hampshire
The valleys of the Upper Test and its tributaries, the North Wessex Downs and the heathlands and hangers of east Hampshire are much valued landscapes and important for a range of Biodiversity Action Plan habitats and species. Working in partnership with local authorities, the North Wessex Downs AONB, farmers and local people, the Trust aims to influence land management in the wider countryside for the benefit of biodiversity. Over the last year, conservation advisors have provided advice on habitat management and restoration, enabled local people to participate in species surveys and developed a toolkit for preparation of parish conservation plans which help people to better care for their local wildlife. For information and advice, or to see how you could become involved contact Liz Allinson on 01256 381186 or email feedback@hwt.org.uk.
