Chalk Downland: Realising the Value
5pm-7pm Tuesday 1st October
Loyd Lindsey Rooms, Ardington
Chalk downland is a significant feature of the North Wessex Downs , providing a valuable habitat for an abundance of plant and animal species. But since WW2 80% of the country’s chalk downland has been lost, and there is an urgent need to restore and improve what remains.
Aimed at farmers, landowners, land managers and conservationists this event aims to give an overview of the North Wessex Downs landscape, which includes 9% of the country’s chalk grassland. Speakers will be explaining how to realise the value and potential of this rare habitat, discussing available funding and current local and national initiatives.
Henry Oliver, the director of the North Wessex Downs and Jemma Batten, Director of Marlborough Downs Space for Nature/ Black Sheep Countryside Management will be delivering informative presentations, with time for questions afterwards.
Farm Carbon: Reducing Farm Emissions
9am – 3pm Wednesday 9th October
Ramsbury Brewery (20 spaces only)
The Farm Carbon Toolkit team will be giving an introduction to carbon during this an intensive day course. The morning will be mainly classroom-based, setting the scene and providing context, followed by a farm walk to look at practical actions. The afternoon will focus on measurements and carbon footprinting – how to complete a carbon footprint and practical mitigation options. The day includes a light lunch.
Deer Management
Monday, November 18th 10am-5pm
Donnington Valley Hotel
Join the British Deer Society for an informative day on deer management in Protected Landscapes. The course is open to stalkers, gamekeepers, landowners, farmers and anyone who is involved in deer management. The course aims to give an overview on deer management, how to accurately survey deer numbers, how to write a deer management plan for Countryside Stewardship, markets etc, this will be classroom-based. In the afternoon there will be a further workshop outside at Oakland Park, looking at biodiversity and how to best monitor and manage populations in the most ethical way.
Tea and coffee available in the morning; please bring a packed lunch.
Understanding SFI payments
Monday, December 2nd 3pm-6pm
Burbage Village Hall
Up-to-date information on the latest SFI offers from Harold Makant (NE) and Dr Jemma Batten (Director of Marlborough Downs Space for Nature/Black Sheep Countryside Management/ NWD Landscape Trust). There will be plenty of time for questions and we would encourage emailing in questions in advance to FiPL@northwessexdowns.org.uk to give our speakers the most information on your specific questions.
Tea/coffee provided
Integrated Pest Management
Monday, December 9th 10am-12pm
Burbage Village Hall
Ben Harrington (Edaphos) will be talking about agronomy. His philosophy is to improve soil and plant health, whilst harnessing the soil’s stored resources to their full potential to achieve a healthy, well-balanced system.
‘It’s becoming apparent that we are getting to a stage where we are growing a crop almost in its entirety with inputs from the chemical and fertiliser industries’. Ben will be discussing ways to help reduce inputs and take a more nature-friendly approach to farming.
Making shooting sustainable for the future
Tuesday, February 11th 2pm-5pm
Hungerford Rugby Club
Various topics will be covered by speakers from Natural England (Harold Makant), the Game and Wildlife Trust (Francis Buner) and Bright Seeds. Topics to include how shooting can work with conservation and the natural landscape, overcoming climate issues relating to shooting, game cover, planting for habitat creation for game and wildlife, helping to overcome public perceptions and countryside stewardship options that support shooting.
Tea and coffee provided.
