Aims of the Blyth Valley Cluster
Biodiversity:
The landscape between Bramfield and Blythburgh is rich in environmental features supporting much biodiversity. The cluster aims to improve and protect the biodiversity of the landscape through the actions it takes.
We will:
- Better understand the state of biodiversity on our farms and landholdings through survey and monitoring effort
- Identify and execute projects that enhance and improve the landscape for wildlife; both at the scale of the project area, and on a farm scale
- Ensure that the area is recognised for its important features, such as the farmland ponds that are abundant here
- Focus on species and habitats of local priority and importance
- Secure funding to deliver these aims
- Monitor our success through repeat surveys and volunteer effort
Farm sustainability, economic and environmental:
The cluster will aim to support its membership in developing environmentally and economically sustainable farming enterprises. Meeting the needs of todays farms and local communities and wider society without degrading resources for future generations.
We will:
- Understand our own sustainability profiles and adopt best practice wherever we can
- Adopt low impact pest management practices
- Act on opportunities to sequester carbon in our soil and natural environments
- Support wildlife and biodiversity across our landholdings
- Produce sustainable food
- Protect our soil and water resources
- Reduce our energy use across our activities
Landscape connectivity:
The cluster aims to create an ecologically connected landscape from Bramfield to Blythburgh. Using 'corridors', such as water courses, green lanes and hedgerows/ scrub. It is the aim to connect isolated pockets of nature, allowing wildlife to travel through a diversity of habitats, including areas of more intensive farming.
We will:
- Identify, map and share the ‘pockets’ of nature on each property, such as: ditches, woods and wildflower meadows
- Discuss, plan and map where above habitats could be connected to create landscape conservation corridors, through restoration, extension and creation
- Share any expertise, including visits from specialists
- Target key habitats to monitor connectivity across the cluster, for example hedgerow extent and number of scrub patches
- Measure progress through surveys at key stages
Community engagement:
Community engagement is increasingly important in a world where divides still exist between urban and rural lifestyles, and in a political landscape where government is moving towards rewarding farmers and landowners for provision of “public and societal goods”. Not only does community engagement help the local community to better understand farming and the rural environment, but it also addresses their concerns, needs and expectations of the countryside and food production.
We will:
- Communicate what we are doing, and why, to everybody who works on or around the farm, including the local community
- Engage the community through events to inspire them about the importance of the farmed landscape and our actions for nature
- Where appropriate; invite enthusiastic members of the local community onto our farmland to watch, record and monitor wildlife with us, especially where this supports our other environmental aims