Natural England

Chris Slack beat tough competition to secure the top spot in the regional round of Natural England’s ‘Future of Farming’ awards 2008, for his heathland in the heart of London.

Hounslow Heath Local Nature Reserve, which is managed by Chris, Senior Ecologist at Continental Landscapes on behalf of Hounslow Borough Council, was recognised for demonstrating high levels of innovation in land management within the pressures of an urban setting.

Chris has introduced conservation grazing and hay cutting on the site as a means of managing and maintaining the quality of fragile habitats that can be found on the 246 hectare site - particularly heathland. Restoration has led to increased numbers of species such as the nationally rare bittern, as well as the re-introduction of the adder and the water vole.

Managing stock on small fragmented sites is particularly challenging and his work not only benefits wildlife but also those who visit and enjoy the site including the 40,000 people who live within 30 - 40 minutes walk from the heath.

Chris said: ‘I’m really chuffed to have won this award! I’ve been working in the London region for twelve years on urban grazing and at times it has been a struggle. It’s excellent to get our work recognised after all this time.’

‘Higher Level Stewardship goes a long way to ensure important ecological work is done on site. The heathland restoration work and the herd we use to maintain the site couldn’t have been achieved without HLS funding.’

The results have been so successful that Chris lends out the small grazing herd to other conservation projects throughout London where grazing stock are extremely scarce. Education related to the farms practice’s and conservation are an active part of the holdings operations.

Alison Barnes, Regional Director for Natural England’s London region said: ‘Chris’ success is a great achievement. Hounslow’s management and restoration of key wildlife habitats is outstanding. The introduction of grazing in an urban context has its challenges, but Hounslow have been innovative and are leading the way in London. Chris Slack will now go forward to the next round of judging which will decide the national winner of the ‘Future of Farming awards 2008’.

Hot on the heels of Hounslow Heath came Bottom Barn Farm in Bromley and Fryent Country Park in Brent who were both highly commended.

Leslie Williams has managed Fryent Country Park on behalf of Brent Borough Council for 25 years. The site has been farmed for centuries and owned by the Borough Council since the 1920s. After it fell into neglect in the 1980s, work has been ongoing to restore traditional management, field boundaries and an old orchard. The results are impressive – the park is an extensive area of hay meadows and hedgerows. Ponds have been created, old varieties of fruit trees reinstated and wildlife is thriving.

Bill and Gill Wade have been farming at Bottom Barn Farm, Bromley for 44 years. They have done outstanding work restoring a wonderful wildflower meadow on land that was previously cultivated. This has contributed to the designation of part of the farm as a Site of importance for nature conservation. Their farm management contributes to a timeless feel to the valley which is part of the Darwin at Downe proposed World Heritage Site. Bridleways and permissive footpaths have been opened up on the farm to link up with existing routes and enable visitors to enjoy the landscape at first hand.

Notes to Editors:

1. The criteria used for judging this year’s award reflects Natural England’s integrated approach to management of the natural environment. The regional finalists were chosen because they demonstrate:

• Innovative land management practices that boost biodiversity, public access opportunities and landscape conservation.
• A good understanding of the economic, social and environmental opportunities that biodiversity, public access and landscape conservation brings.
• Pioneering management of the natural environment in one of access, biodiversity or landscape that sets a new standard for the future.

2. Environmental Stewardship was launched on 3 March 2005. It is a Government-funded scheme, managed by Natural England, and open to all farmers. The Scheme funds the delivery of environmental benefits through agriculture and aims to conserve wildlife, maintain and enhance our landscape quality and character, protect our natural resources, and promote public access to the countryside.

It is composed of three tiers:-

• Entry Level Stewardship (ELS), a whole farm scheme which aims to encourage farmers and land managers across England to deliver simple but effective environmental management;
• Organic Entry Level Stewardship (OELS), which is open to farmers who manage all or part of their land organically;
• Higher Level Stewardship (HLS), which, when combined with ELS or OELS options, aims to deliver significant environmental benefits in high priority areas.

Environmental Stewardship is the latest phase of 21 years of agri-environment schemes which have brought real benefit to the countryside.These schemes have:

• Delivered 5 million hectares across England under Environmental Stewardship agreements
• Restored more than 17,000 kilometres of hedgerow
• Created more than 4,800 kilometres of footpaths, and 2,400 kilometres of cycle paths and bridleways
• Assisted recovery of a range of species including the stone curlew, bittern, twite, cirl bunting, and chough
• And we are on target to bring 95% of Sites of Special Scientific Interest into favourable condition by 2010.

3. In London there are currently 81 agri-environment agreements in London covering a total of 5,204.20ha. This is composed of:

• 44 Classic Scheme agreements (Countryside Stewardship Scheme) which cover an area of 1,016.94ha
• 5 Higher Level Stewardship (HLS) agreements covering an area of 985.79ha
• 32 Entry Level Scheme (ELS) /Organic Entry Level Scheme (OELS) agreements (2 of these are OELS) covering an area of 3,201.47ha.

4. Lack of grazing management leads to the deterioration of important wildlife habitats. Grazing is the optimal management technique for maintaining the quality of wildlife habitats such as heathland, and as such is a major problem to be addressed in the city.

5. Natural England works for people, places and nature to conserve and enhance biodiversity, landscapes and wildlife in rural, urban, coastal and marine areas. We conserve and enhance the natural environment for its intrinsic value, the wellbeing and enjoyment of people, and the economic prosperity it brings.

For more information, photographs or to arrange interviews please contact:
Ellen Softley at the Natural England's London Office on 0207 932 2230 or 07990 804795
Email: ellen.softley@naturalengland.org.uk
or
Natural England national press office 0845 603 9953, out of hours 07970 098005 or email: press@naturalengland.org.uk