Despite our and others’ best efforts to protect and restore wildlife, there is no escaping the fact that the UK is one of the most nature depleted countries in the world. Wildlife habitat is increasingly fragmented and isolated across our landscapes.  

In line with internationally agreed targets, we’ve set a goal, of securing more space for nature and are committed to ensuring 30% of land can support nature’s recovery. We are proud of the role our nature reserves play in supporting wildlife but recognise that nature reserves alone are not enough.  

Here in Nottinghamshire, reaching our 30% aspiration equates to approximately 65,000 hectares. Given that all the land already in some sort of positive management including nature reserves, parks and open spaces and the public forestry estate adds up to around 18,000 hectares - a further 47,000 hectares must somehow be made wilder. With around 70% of land being farmland, the challenge is clear. To truly make our landscape wilder, we must influence how land is farmed.  

We can achieve this through pressing government to change policy and funding, influencing consumer behaviour and by working with farmers to create and improve habitat for wildlife. We have a long history of working with farmers and have ramped up the provision of advice and practical support for farmers thanks to our partnership with Severn Trent. 

Agriculture policy shapes our countryside and for decades this has often been at the expense of wildlife and natural habitats. The Wildlife Trusts are working with farmers and governments to change this and we’ve recently included proper funding for wildlife-friendly farming in our list of five policies we want all parties sign up to ahead of the next election. 

The Wildlife Trust care for over 100,000 hectares of land, including 26 working farms and we advise around 5,000 farmers and landowners each year. On our own land we practice sustainable environmental land management using techniques such as nature-based grazing and collectively, the Wildlife Trusts own more than 7,500 grazing animals, from traditional and rare breed sheep and cattle to native ponies, and even water buffalo.  

Here in Nottinghamshire, we work with dozens of farmers and with so many keen to welcome wildlife on to their land, we’re struggling to keep up with demand for advice.   

Making space for nature 

Through our Nature Recovery Network in Farmed Landscapes project – a partnership with Severn Trent – we’re creating new and improving existing habitats on farmland whilst recognising that farms must operate commercially to survive. By April, we will have delivered habitat improvements across more than 260 hectares of including twelve new farm ponds, over four kilometres of hedgerow enhancement and new habitat for waders such as lapwing.  In addition to welcoming wildlife on to their land, our farmer partners act as advocates for new approaches - helping us steer clear of ‘culture wars’ by highlighting that conservationists and farmers are working together. The more we can do to bring the worlds of nature conservation and farm production closer the better.