Nature awards open to smallholders as well (From Smallholder)

Nature awards open to smallholders as well

9:20am Sunday 7th February 2010

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The search is for Britain’s most wildlife friendly farmer. There’s one month to go to get nominations in for this year’s Nature of Farming Award.

The award aims to find the farmer who has put in the most work for nature on their land and is supported by the RSPB, Butterfly Conservation, Plantlife and BBC Countryfile Magazine.

Nominations are already coming in thick and fast and will be narrowed down to a shortlist of eight regional winners. A panel of experts will then whittle the shortlist down to four national finalists before a UK wide public vote gets underway. Visitors to country shows throughout the summer will be able to cast their votes while others can have their say via an online webpoll to choose the award winner.

The deadline for nominations is February 28. All the details on how to enter can be found on the RSPB website at – www.rspb.org.uk/natureoffarming RSPB Head of Farming Advice, Darren Moorcroft, said: “The Nature of Farming Award is now in its third year and has really gone from strength to strength.

“I’m looking forward to hearing about some of the great work farmers are doing on their land to help our native birds, insects, mammals and plants. There are many people in our countryside who are passionate about protecting wildlife and I’m proud to be part of an award which celebrates their important work.”

Plantlife Chief Executive, Victoria Chester, said: “We'll be looking out for nominations where farmers can show sympathetic management for native wildflowers and other plants.

“We hope to see farms where a mosaic of diverse habitats and varied management allows local specialities to thrive, to show how productive farms don't have to end up as 'monochrome' landscapes with low biodiversity. If farmers are getting it right for wild plants, then other wildlife will also have the chance to flourish.”

-Butterfly Conservation Chief Executive, Dr Martin Warren, said: “A large number of threatened butterflies rely on farmland so it’s crucial that farmers play a role in their conservation. This award highlights the ways in which farmers can help dwindling wildlife.”

Countryfile Magazine Editor, Fergus Collins, said: “Our landscapes are rightly celebrated for their beauty but they are truly brought alive by a rich and diverse cast of wild animals and plants.

“A countryside without birdsong, butterflies and bursts of wildflowers is unthinkable and we must thank those farmers who go out of their way to protect such wonders as they go about their own daily business of providing food for us.”

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