First and Last – Our Living Working Landscape
Wild Penwith
Partners
Cornwall Wildlife Trust
Outputs
Increasing biodiversity: providing Farm Surveys and Whole Farm Plans, and Small Grants and volunteer support for positive heritage and habitat management
Description
Bargednyow-Tir y’n Termyn a-dheu or Wild Penwith will strive to improve the ecological resilience of the Penwith landscape. The favourable management of nature reserves and protected sites in isolation from the wider farm landscape does not prevent species declines, and this project will aim to create an ecological network across Penwith to allow species to thrive.
As such, for this project advice and support will be given to farmers on how to favourably manage the wildlife-rich places such as the downs, moors and cliffs, as well as on how productive farmland can contribute to a living landscape. To support this over the period of the project, up to 50 farms across Penwith will benefit from an ecology survey together with soil and nutrient testing. Threats and opportunities across the farm for habitats, hedges, pollinators, soils and water will be identified and advice given on how to manage this, as well as on how to support ecological networks. Where appropriate, actions will be recommended that directly address negative impacts upon the environment, such as from diffuse pollution, inappropriate management or invasive non-native species.
Funding sources such as Countryside Stewardship or capital grants from the Penwith Landscape Partnership small grant fund will be explored with farmers, and we will provide assistance in accessing these where appropriate. In addition, a team of volunteers will be trained to repair and survey Cornish hedges (through Project 3.4 Penwith Hedges), control scrub and bracken, and carry out additional tasks that can improve the condition of both archaeological and natural heritage.
The lead partner on this project is the Cornwall Wildlife Trust, and it is being managed within the PLP team by our Ecologist, Nick Taylor, and our Farm Environment Officer, Phil Pengelly. If you have any questions regarding the project please contact Nick by emailing nick.taylor@cornwallwildlifetrust.org.uk or Phil at philip.pengelly@cornwallwildlifetrust.org.uk
Please report any wildlife sightings within Penwith to ORKS (Online Recording for Kernow and Scilly), no matter how common the species - it helps build a record of the current biodiversity of Penwith and will help target conservation efforts. Report your wildlife sightings (or download the ORKS app) here
If you are a farmer in Penwith, you can find more information on our Farming and Wildlife pages.
