The Countryside Regeneration Trust (CRT) is calling for nationwide adoption of regenerative and nature-friendly farming practices which it says are vital for reversing nature's decline. This is in response to the State of Nature report published yesterday, which shows that wildlife across Britain is in a state of ‘devastating decline’.

Sue Everett, Chair of the CRT, said: “Changing how land is farmed is vital for restoring wildlife habitats and populations of declining and threatened species. For over 30 years, the Countryside Regeneration Trust (CRT) has strived to demonstrate that farming with wildlife in mind delivers positive results for nature recovery. At the CRT’s Lark Rise Farm in Cambridgeshire, as a result of farmer Tim Scott's nature-friendly farming practices, there has been a four-fold increase in grey partridges over the past 20 years, and the return of breeding lapwings . Increasing the farm’s network of hedgerows, restoring wildflower meadows and retaining over-wintered stubble, are among the actions taken to restore wildlife on this and on our other farms.  Farmers and farming practices, are central to whether or not we can reverse the current trends for nature's decline; I urge all those involved with the industry to play their part and for government to ensure there are adequate incentives enabling them to do so.” 

 

Editors' notes

Lapwing is listed as a RED species of conservation concern in the UK as is grey partridge.

Published 28 September 2023.