Delivering biodiversity at a landscape scale takes vision

News In my view Davy McCracken Farming

environment management is implemented.

But we also need to recognise that farmers or crofters on their own are not always best placed to understand the needs of birds like the curlew. That is where facilitation becomes essential.

And in most instances that will not just involve a conservation advisor being able to draw up a plan of what may be most relevant to do on individual farms or crofts. To be truly effective, that facilitation will need to involve ensuring that appropriate advice and guidance is available throughout the length of time that the conservation management is being implemented.

It is essential to get buy-in from neighbouring crofters and hill farmers in order to implement effective agri-environment schemes which can benefit habitats on a large scale

Marked declines have been noted in species including black grouse

Farmers on their own may not understand the needs of wild species