Map of UK Conservation Grazing Schemes
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The Coversands Project
Location:30 Sites Across Lincolnshire and East Nottinghamshire
In brief:Lowland Heathland Restoration / Recreation Partnership Project
Yorkshire Exmoor Pony Trust
Location:Various sites in North Yorkshire
In brief:Provides Exmoor ponies for conservation management in North Yorkshire while conserving this rare native breed
Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust
Location:Various sites across Nottinghamshire
In brief:Nottimgham Wildlife Trust's flying flock deployed around Nottinghamshire wildlife sites
Glen Finglas
Location:Glen Finglas
In brief:Extensive "naturalistic" sheep and cattle grazing of upland wood-pasture
Shropshire Local Grazing Scheme
Location:Various sites across Shropshire
In brief:Grazing land and livestock ‘matchmaking’ service for Shropshire.
Rhwydwaith Pori Sir Benfro - Pembrokeshire Grazing Network
Location:Mwy na 50 safle ledled Sir Benfro - 50+ sites across Pembrokeshire
In brief:Cynllun Pori Lleol lle gellir paru safleoedd/stoc â safleoedd/stoc sydd ar gael / A Local Grazing Scheme whereby sites/stock required can be matched up with sites/stock available
West Highland Woodland Grazing Project
Location:Argyll & Lochabar
In brief:A partnership woodland grazing project disseminating best practice
Morecambe Bay Local Grazing Scheme
Location:Morecambe Bay
In brief:Prototype Local Grazing Scheme using cattle and sheep over 30 sites across 3 counties.
Savernake Forest
Location:Savernake Forest, Nr Marlborough, Wiltshire
In brief:Ancient woodland experimentally grazed with White Park cattle
Cynllun Pori Twyni Pen-bre - Pembrey Burrows Grazing Project
Location:Gwarchodfa Natur Leol Twyni Pen-bre - Pembrey Burrows Local Nature Reserve
In brief:Prosiect pori twyni - Dune grazing project
Prosiect Gweundir Sir Benfro - Pembrokeshire Heathland Project
Location:30 safle ledled Sir Benfro - 30 sites across Pembrokeshire
In brief:Prosiect adfer/ail-greu gweundir iseldirol - Lowland Heathland restoration/recreation project
Wild Ennerdale
Location:Ennerdale, Cumbria
In brief:Naturalistic upland grazing with Galloway cattle in wild Ennerdale
Flanders Moss NNR
Location:Flanders Moss National Nature Reserve, nr Stirling
In brief:Conservation grazing with cattle and sheep on raised peat bog as part of ongoing site management
The Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgshire, Northamptonshire and Peterborough
Location:Sites across Beds, Cambs, Northants and Peterborough
In brief:Local Wildlife Trust conservation grazing as part of ongoing management of nature reserves
Value In Meadows
Location:Peak Fringe Natural Area, Derbyshire
In brief:Project targeting areas of wildflower rich grassland for restoration and enhancement in the area surrounding the Peak District National Park
Grazing for Biodiversity
Location:North and East Hampshire
In brief:Ten year project between Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust and the MoD developing sustainable grazing mangement of grassland and heathland in north and east Hampshire in partnship with farmers and other local graziers.
Waves Of Heath Project
Location:Isles of Scilly
In brief:Cattle and pony grazing on the Isles of Scilly to restore lowland heathland
Wyre Forest
Location:Wyre Forest, Worcestershire
In brief:Low intensity grazing with cattle as part of ongoing conservation management of nature reserves in the Wyre Forest district, Worcestershire
Limestone Country Project
Location:Ingleborough and Craven, Yorkshire Dales National Park
In brief:The Limestone Country Project aims to protect and improve some of England's most important wildlife sites by promoting the re-introduction of native cattle breeds across the Craven and Ingleborough areas of the Yorkshire Dales National Park.
Grazing Links (Devon Wildlife Trust)
Location:Various culm grassland sites across Devon
In brief:Grazing Link Partnership offering a matchmaking service in order to reinstate grazing and traditional management on neglected culm grassland sites across Devon
RAMSAK
Location:Kent and Sussex
In brief:Machinery Ring including a grazing matchmaking service covering Kent, East and West Sussex and eastern Surrey.
GAP Northern Ireland (GAPNI)
Location:Northern Ireland
In brief:Northern Irish arm of GAP UK aiming to establish a conservation grazing scheme in Northern Ireland
FWAG Viking Heaths
Location:Orkney
In brief:Restoring and protecting maritime grassland and heathland in Orkney by developing the links between farming and conservation.
Suffolk Sandlings
Location:Suffolk Coast
In brief:A group of sites on the Suffolk coast grazed through a partnership system
Ashdown Forest
Location:Ashdown Forest
In brief:Includes shepherding grazing and commoners grazing to restore lowland heathland in Ashdown Forest
Neroche Landscape Partnership Scheme
Location:Blackdown Hills AONB. Devon and Somerset border
In brief:A low intensity grazing scheme to maintain a landsacpe of broad-leaved woodland, wood pasture and open space on a Forestry Comission estate.
Cornwall Coastal Heaths
Location:The Lizard, West Penwith and St Agnes, Cornwall
In brief:Part of a European project to develop a model of integrated heathland management
Canolfan Gadwraeth Denmark Farm - Denmark Farm Conservation Centre
Location:Nr Lampeter
In brief:Prosiect adfer tir fferm. Safle 40 erw yng Ngorllewin Cymru - A farm restoration project on a 40 acre site in West Wales
Blakehill Farm (Wiltshire Wildlife Trust)
Location:Blakehill Farm, Nr Cricklade, Wiltshire
In brief:Large scale grassland restoration project including cattle and sheep grazing and meat marketing scheme.
Dorset Urban Heaths Grazing Project
Location:East Dorset, Poole and Bournemouth
In brief:A partnership approach to the complex issues of urban heathland grazing in Dorset.
SheepKeep
Location:UK-wide but with a focus on the North Wessex Downs AONB
In brief:Website resource and matchmaking service for sheep grazing
Gibshiel
Location:Gibshiel, Northumberland
In brief:100 acre hill farm in 10yr Countryside Stewardship scheme mainly grazing with sheep
Sutton Park NNR
Location:Birmingham
In brief:A mosaic of open heathland, woodland, wetland on the north edge of Birmingham, ring-fenced and grazed by local graziers. The site is managed by Birmingham City Council.
Upper Waterside Farm
Location:Disley,Nr Stockport, Cheshire
In brief:Farm nr Stockport in Cheshire specialising in breeding Aberdeen Angus cattle. Includes grazing as part of organic ELS and HLS schemes.
Myndd Mawr Marsh Fritillary Project
Location:Cross Hands, Carmarthenshire
In brief:Marsh Fritillary habitat management partnership between Butterfly Conservation and the Countryside Council for Wales
Knepp Wildland Project
Location:The Knepp Estate, West Sussex
In brief:Innovative re-wilding of arable land and historic deer park using low intensity livestock under a more natural grazing regime
Cut and Chew: Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire & Northamptonshire
Location:Sites across Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire
In brief:‘matchmaking service’ for grazing land and livestock
Loch Lomond NNR
Location:Loch Lomond NNR, Central Scotland
In brief:Conservation grazing of floodplain wetlands with cattle and sheep for ground nesting birds and botanical interests
Wicken Fen
Location:Wicken Fen, Cambridgeshire
In brief:Multi-functional, large scale habitat creation project with naturalistic grazing system in Cambridgeshire
RSPB Ouse Washes
Location:Chatteris
In brief:Large scale wetland management for birds through management of grazing livestock
Norfolk Wildlife Trust
Location:Norfolk
In brief:A flying ‘flock’ and agreements with graziers, used to manage multiple sites for multiple landowners
City of London, Epping Forest
Location:
In brief:Herded Longhorn cattle on woodpasture, acid and neutral grassland and lowland heathland on the edge of London; Epping forest is a multi – functional open space of international conservation importance
Great Fen Project
Location:Between Huntingdon and Peterborough
In brief:Multi – functional, large scale habitat creation project in Cambridgeshire
Cotswolds Grazing Project
Location:Cotswolds Grazing Project
In brief:Aiming to restore, enhance and maintain limestone grasslands in the Gloucestershire Cotswolds through conservation grazing and to demonstrate the value of traditional native breeds in utilisation of grassland sites of marginal productive use, and illustrate the economic potential to graziers of taking on this sort of management.
Ventnor Downs
Location:Ventnor Downs, Isle of Wight
In brief:
Parish Grasslands Project, St Briavels
Location:St Briavels
In brief:A community grassland management project established in response the concerns of local residents. The following article by George Peterken, one of those residents, describes the background to this.
National Park Veluwezoom, Holland
Location:National Park Veluwezoom, Holland
In brief:Managed by Natuurmonumenten, 70% of the area of the 5,000 hectare National Park has been under very low intervention management, (focused on natural processes as much as possible) for the last 20 years
Somerset Wildlife Trust / MOD / NE – Chancellor’s Farm
Location:Yoxter, Mendips
In brief:The Wildlife Trust, MOD and Natural England collaborate to achieve conservation grazing on Yoxter army ranges at Chancellors farm in the Mendips.
Box Moor Trust
Location:Hemel Hempsted
In brief:The Trust is a registered charity which was founded in 1594 to administer the land and properties of the Box Moor Estate for the benefit of the inhabitants of Hemel Hempstead and Bovingdon. The Trust offers a wide variety of information and education services whilst providing a range of events and activities for the whole community. The Trust uses Belted Galloway cattle and Norfolk Horn sheep to graze neutral, wet and chalk grassland, some of which is very urban common land, some SSSI.
Burnham Beeches
Location:Farnham Common, Slough
In brief:Exmoor ponies, Berkshire pigs, Hebridean sheep and British white Cattle on wood pasture, valley mire and lowland heath. Burnham Beeches is heavily used by the public and crossed by roads. There are long term plans to close some of these roads, enlarge areas of grazed habitats and link it to other important sites . The City of London have recently taken on the management of the nearby Stoke Common, lowland heathland grazed with cattle supplied by a local farmer.
Dorset Wildlife Trust – Pastures New Project
Location:Kingcombe, Dorchester
In brief:A multi – objective landscape scale partnership project funded by Tubney Charitable Trust and others focusing in part on achieving long – term, sustainable grazing management of unimproved grassland sites within the project areas. The project also aims to foster partnership working with local farmers, set up a machinery ring, harvest and use local wildflower seed in habitat restoration work and facilitate marketing of added value environmental products.
Herefordshire Community Commons Project
Location:
In brief:A multi – objective landscape scale partnership project funded by HLF focusing in part on achieving long – term, sustainable grazing management of 12 commons (selected from a longer list) within the project area.
Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
Location:Cotswolds, Gloucestershire
In brief:A multi – objective landscape scale partnership project funded by HLF focusing in part on achieving long – term, sustainable grazing management of unimproved limestone grassland sites within the project area, including several large commons. The project has now finished but resources are available direct from AONB staff or to download from their website.
Dartmoor Pony Heritage Trust
Location:Brimpts Farm Dartmoor, Devon
In brief:Work to improve the fortunes of the Dartmoor pony by increasing their value as conservation grazing animals (across numerous sites and habitats), improving their saleability as recreational ponies and improving the handling skills of nature conservation organisations using unbroken ponies.
High Weald Grazing Network / Weald Meadows Initiative
Location:High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Sussex, Kent
In brief:Long term landscape scale work to improve the management of species rich grasslands and heathlands across the High Weald AONB. The grazing network project has now finished but is continued in other forms through other project work (the AONB has and is also involved in numerous other projects that facilitate grazing management). Lots of information and experience is available direct from the AONB and on their website. The Weald Meadows Initiative has over 10 years experience in all aspects of wildflower meadow management.
Blue Remembered Hills
Location:Shropshire Hills AONB
In brief:A multi – objective, landscape scale partnership project funded by HLF focusing in part on achieving long – term, sustainable grazing management of unimproved grassland, moorland, wetland and heathland sites within the project area. The project finishes in mid - 2008 but resources are available direct from AONB staff or to download from their website.
Alkborough
Location:Alkborough, on the Humber
In brief:EA, EN and North Lincolnshire Council managed realignment project on the river Humber where farmland was purchased to provide land for flood relief, access and amenity, grazing and biodiversity.
Aqualate Mere NNR
Location:Newport, Shropshire
In brief:Aqualate Mere NNR is a large lowland reserve situated in the grounds of Aqualate Hall. Centred on Aqualate Mere - the largest natural lake in the West Midlands - the reserve also includes reedbeds, woodland and low-lying wet grassland. Natural England use Galloway cattle and Exmoor ponies to graze the wet grassland areas and have good handling facilities and lots of experience with both.
Aston Rowant NNR
Location:Chilterns
In brief:Large areas of chalk grassland plus broadleaved woodland and juniper scrub. A long history of sheep and rabbit grazing combined with nutrient-poor soil has led to the development of a rich wildflower flora. Plants found in the short turf include Chiltern gentian, dwarf thistle, dropwort, clustered bellflower and the rare clustered bellflower. The grassland is also home to frog, bee, pyramidal and fragrant orchids, A range of invertebrates is found here including many national rarities. Butterflies include the dark green and Duke of Burgundy fritillary, chalkhill blue, brown argus and silver-spotted skipper. The grasslands are grazed by an organic flock of Beulah Speckled Face ewes.
Beacon Hill, Leicestershire County Council
Location:Woodhouse
In brief:Heathland and acid grassland restoration at Beacon Hill Country Park, owned and managed by Leicestershire County Council. Site is grazed with Longhorn cattle and Manx Loghtan sheep. Llamas are used to help protect sheep against dogs. The site incorporates a Bronze Age hill fort.
Bentley Priory
Location:Harrow, London
In brief:Bentley Priory comprises an intricate mosaic of unimproved neutral grassland, ancient and long-established woodland, scrub, wetland and open water. It is grazed with commercial beef cattle. The site is well used by the public.
Brill Common
Location:Brill
In brief:Rural common previously grazed with shepherded sheep comprising neutral grassland and scrub mosaics. Now grazing has been reintroduced by the Parish Council and local community, with Dexter cattle behind electric fences supplied by a local grazier. Contact rogercstone@tiscali.co.uk or fobc07@tiscali.co.uk.
Chippenham Fen NNR
Location:Fordham
In brief:Chippenham Fen NNR is one of the best areas of fen in Cambridgeshire. The reserve's habitats include beds of saw-sedge and common reed, grazed wet meadows rich in wild flowers, meadows cut for hay, chalk grassland, carr woodland and scrub, and mature woodland. The site is grazed by Water Buffalo which cope well with the forage, flies and wet conditions.
Coulsdon and West Wickham commons
Location:South Croydon
In brief:A suite of chalk grassland SSSI managed for multiple uses and with high public access. The sites are a mixture of calcareous and neutral grassland, scrub and wood pasture and are grazed with Sussex cattle and a mixed breed sheep flock. Meat is sold direct to members of the public and staff. Some sites have vehicular access and cattle are marked with reflective bands to minimise the risk of accidents.
Cressbrook Dale NNR
Location:North of Bakewell in the Peak District National Park, between the villages of Wardlow and Litton
In brief:Limestone grassland, scrub and limestone woodland mosaic grazed by sheep, cattle and Exmoor ponies. Scrub is managed on rotation.
Crown Estate, Windsor
Location:Windsor Great Park
In brief:Use of non – breeding Longhorn cattle to graze very nice wood pasture in one area of the Great Park. Farm livestock (sheep and cattle) graze other areas of the park.
Dawlish Warren NNR
Location:Devon
In brief:Dawlish Warren NNR is jointly owned and managed by Teignbridge District Council and the Devon Wildlife Trust. The NNR contains the full range of coastal habitats, from mudflats to sand dunes. Up to 8,000 wading birds rest at Warren Point at high tide and the site supports over 600 plant species, including the rare Warren crocus which is unique to the area. New species are still being found, notably the diminutive petalwort, an internationally rare liverwort. In light of its importance the area has been declared a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and a Ramsar site as part of the Exe Estuary. The site is grazed with Dartmoor ponies.
Dudley Urban Grazing Scheme
Location:Dudley
In brief:Murray Grey cattle grazing of urban sites in and around Dudley, especially on Saltwells Nature Reserve, 100 hectares of ancient woodland, species rich grassland, wetlands and heathland. Saltwells has long been considered a role model for urban conservation and community involvement and is owned and managed by Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council.
East of England Grazing Forum
Location:East Anglian region
In brief:Multi – organisational and sectoral partnership forum led by Natural England to tackle issues affecting the livestock industry in the eastern region. The organisation concentrates on improving grazing management within agri-environment schemes, on commons, designated and isolated sites. The project has assessed the feasibility of developing a saltmarsh beef / lamb brand and also the ecological, social and economic impacts of undergrazing in the eastern region.
The North East Grazing Project
Location:Northumberland, Co Durham and Tyne & Wear
In brief:Network of 100 sites identified as requiring grazing totalling 1352ha of which 800ha has no potential graziers.
Gloucester City Council
Location:Gloucester
In brief:The city council run a city farm in Gloucester and use Gloucester cattle and Hebridean sheep to manage wet and neutral grasslands in and around Gloucester. They also use feral goats in a quarry on Robinswood Hill Country Park.
Kent Wildlife Trust
Location:Kent
In brief:The trust own and manage numerous reserves comprising varied habitats across the county and both own and manage their own stock (Highland cattle, Soay, Wiltshire horn and Hebridean sheep, Exmoor and Konic ponies and feral goats) and work with graziers. They are developing Living Landscape Projects and are in the early stages of establishing local food marketing allied to environmental management.
Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust
Location:
In brief:The trust own and manage numerous reserves comprising varied habitats across the county and both own and manage their own stock (Lincoln Red cattle and Hebridean sheep)) and work with graziers. They are developing Living Landscape Projects, have marketed their own produce direct to customers and have also carried out a full review of their grazing needs which has led to some interesting partnership working with graziers.
Malvern Hills
Location:Malvern
In brief:Multi-objective management of the Malvern Hills, led by the Malvern Hills Conservators and involving multiple stakeholders and partners. The hills are common land grazed by some commoner sheep and cattle but also with a hefted flock of Cheviot sheep and Belted Galloway cattle owned by the Conservators. The hills comprise acid and neutral grassland and ancient woodland. The Conservators have undertaken pioneering work in grazing land with high public access, installing cattle grids, running dog training days, employing a full time shepherd and reviewing their management of all the commons.
Mid – Cornwall Moors LIFE
Location:Moors in central Cornwall around Goss Moor, St. Dennis
In brief:Natural England staff at Goss Moor NNR work with partners to facilitate sustainable grazing management of moors in central Cornwall for key habitats and species, notably the Marsh fritillary butterfly. Recent project work has been funded by the EU LIFE programme.
Old Surrey Downs
Location:North Downs from Guildford to Westerham
In brief:A 5 year landscape partnership scheme funded by HLF, aiming to improve existing grazing systems on key chalk grassland sites along the north downs, and reintroduce management and grazing where needed. There is a strong community engagement element to the project with guided walks, educational work and volunteer recruitment and training. The project uses its own cattle and sheep in a flying flock / herd and also works with graziers where possible.
Rutland Water
Location:Oakham
In brief:Multi – functional management of Rutland Water and its environs by Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust on behalf of Anglian Water. They run their own Dexter cattle and Hebridean sheep on neutral and wet grasslands
Shapwick Heath NNR
Location:1 km north of Shapwick village
In brief:Shapwick Heath NNR is a major wetland reserve forming a large part of the Avalon Marshes. It boasts a wide variety of habitats, including traditionally managed herb-rich grassland, ferny wet woodland, fen, scrub, and ditches rich in aquatic plants and invertebrates. The site is grazed with goats owned by Natural England and North Devon cattle from a local farmer.
Stiperstones NNR
Location:Local villages include Snailbeach, Stiperstones, Habberley, Bridges and Pennerley
In brief:Large area of upland heathland in the Shropshire Hills AONB with multiple uses. The area is common land and is grazed by sheep and cattle from commoners, but increasingly by Hebridean sheep and Exmoor ponies owned by Natural England. The site acted as a focus for the Back to Purple HLF partnership project that has restored moorland from pine plantations and brought public and private bodies together to develop sustainable solutions to land management.
Sussex pony grazing and conservation trust
Location:South Downs and Weald
In brief:Charitable Trust using Exmoor ponies to graze key chalk grassland and heathland sites along the South Downs and Weald for nature conservation organisations and private landowners.
West Berkshire Council
Location:County of Berkshire
In brief:The county council own and manage several sites for multiple objectives - nature conservation, access, amenity, notably the ex – nuclear base at Greenham Common which has been the subject of a large heathland restoration and public access scheme and which is currently grazed by commoners cattle and Exmoor ponies. The area also contains large areas of acid grassland and bare ground
Woodwalton Fen NNR
Location:2 km west of Ramsey Heights village
In brief:Wetland site grazed by Galloway cross beef cattle
Auchtermuchty Common
Location:Fife, Scotland
In brief:Auchtermuchty was granted a charter as a Royal Burgh in 1517 and one of the 'Rights' granted was the privilege of the 'Small Heritors of Auchtermuchty' to graze livestock on the common, these are householders living in properties in the Royal Burgh identified as such in the title deeds to their homes. Problem species – gorse and broom
Cairnsmore of Fleet NNR
Location:Cairnsmore of Fleet, Newton Stewart
In brief:Cairnsmore of Fleet, NNR and Farm 1300ha, at 711 meters, is the highest of the so called 'Solway Hills'. Its commanding location overlooks the Cree Estuary, Wigtown Bay with the Lake District, North Wales and the Isle of Man in the distance.
Lindisfarne NNR Grazing Project
Location:Lindisfarne, Northumberland
In brief:Lindisfarne NNR site protects a long stretch of North East coastline, including the dunes of Holy Island. Lindisfarne has international recognition as a “Ramsar” site for a wetland of international significance.
Moorland Mousie Trust
Location:Exmoor
In brief:Charity to help conserve and promote the Exmoor pony by buying and training unwanted animals, loaning animals to conservation grazing schemes and private landowners and offering training and riding courses.
New Forest National Park
Location:New Forest
In brief:Large, multi-functional, multi-objective landscape of broadleaved and conifer woodlands and extensively grazed heathlands, acid and neutral grasslands, with multiple commoners with the full range of rights.
North Hertfordshire
Location:Hitchin, North Hertfordshire
In brief:Long standing conservation grazing scheme run by a private landowner who also markets beef via the RBST Traditional Breeds Meat Marketing Scheme. Cattle graze a mix of reserves and areas owned by the Hertfordshire and Middlesex Wildlife Trust and local authorities.
Butterfly Conservation
Location:North Yorkshire Moors National Park, Helmsley
In brief:The Butterfly Conservation is working in partnership with the North York Moors National Park, Forestry Commission and Natural England to support habitat management for the Pearl Bordered Fritillary and Duke of Burgundy. These projects are ongoing and aim to enhance and protect the habitats for these species
Northamptonshire Wildlife Trust
Location:County of Northamptonshire
In brief:The Wildlife Trust manage the full range of habitats across numerous reserves using both their own cattle and sheep (generally primitive breeds – Hebridean, Manx Loghtan and North Ronaldsay) and working with graziers. They use volunteer lookers and shepherds.
NT Arlington Court
Location:Exmoor
In brief:North Devon cattle and Jacob sheep managed in – hand by the National Trust to graze neutral and wet grassland and historic parkland. Also Red Deer.
NT Box Hill and Headley Heath
Location:Dorking
In brief:Belted Galloway (and until recently Highland) cattle grazing chalk grassland and lowland heath and managed by a grazier. The NT also run their own Hebridean sheep on site. This site has very high public use.
NT Killerton
Location:Exeter
In brief:Areas of acid and neutral grassland in wood pasture setting managed for Pearl Bordered and Small Pearl Bordered Fritillary using Dartmoor Ponies on loan from members of the Dartmoor Pony Heritage Trust. Parkland around the main house is grazed with cattle from a neighbouring farm.
NT Mendips
Location:Mendips
In brief:Several large, high profile sites managed with various grazing systems – feral goats and Soay sheep and grazier cattle in Cheddar Gorge; grazier White Park cattle and sheep, and Dartmoor Ponies from members of the Dartmoor Pony Heritage Trust on Crook Peak and Hereford cattle and Exmoor ponies on Shute Shelve. The Trust also has its own Exmoor Ponies on Crook Peak.
Parsonage Downs NNR
Location:Shrewton
In brief:Large area of chalk grassland on the edge of Salisbury Plain RTA managed by Natural England and grazed with Longhorn cattle and a sheep flock.
Quantocks AONB
Location:Quantock Hills
In brief:In hand Exmoor pony herd to manage one site, working with commoners on the main area of moorland on the hills who run 30 + ponies, 1,300 Scottish Blackface ewes and 20 North Devon cattle over 1,500 hectares. There is also a sizeable Red Deer herd (1,000 adults) across the area.
Ravine Woodlife Project
Location:Peak District and the Wye Valley
In brief:EU funded LIFE project focusing on the ecology and management of (ravine) limestone woodlands.
Salisbury Plain RTA
Location:Salisbury Plain RTA
In brief:A major army training area with multiple uses, including some public access, farming and nature conservation. The Plain is the largest area of chalk grassland in Europe, with multiple nature conservation and archaeological designations. Much of the grassland is grazed with beef and dairy cattle and sheep, either as free ranging herded stock or in temporary electric fenced pens, as part of farm tenancies.
East Yorkshire Dales Local Grazing Scheme
Location:East Yorkshire Dales
In brief:This local grazing scheme is being developed. There is a network of 70 sites within the East Dales, Ripon and Harrogate Borough Council areas being considered. Funding is currently being sort for a project co-ordinator. An enthusiastic grazier has already been found.
RSPB Minsmere
Location:Minsmere
In brief:Mix of wetlands, reedbeds, acid and neutral grasslands, lowland heathland, arable reversion to heath and mixed woodlands with a visitor centre and café. Land is managed with grazier cattle and in hand Konik and Dartmoor Ponies. There is also a sizeable population of Red Deer. The reserve is part of a bigger landscape owned by several organisations.
RSPB Pulborough Brooks
Location:Pulborough
In brief:Large wetland reserve with adjacent neutral grassland and heathland restoration project, in part managed with in hand Highland and British White cattle herds. There are also several herds of fallow deer on site.
Somerset Wildlife Trust
Location:County wide
In brief:Aside from their Chancellor’s Farm reserve (outlined elsewhere on the GAP website), the Trust own and manage the full range of habitats across numerous reserves in the county. They use grazier sheep, cattle, ponies and goats.
South Downs NNRs
Location:South Downs
In brief:Several high profile chalk grassland and chalk heath NNR on the South Downs managed by Natural England, including Lullington Heath and Castle Hill. NE use Beulah Speckled Face ewes and Bagot goats.
Surrey Horse Pasture Project
Location:County of Surrey
In brief:Innovative and long standing project run by Surrey County Council to give a whole range of advice to horse owners in the county. Lots of information available from the website.
Hampshire County Council
Location:county-wide
In brief:Council staff have extensive and wide ranging knowledge of all grazing issues having run a grazing network for 5 + years. They are now concentrating on the management of their own estate and manage a small roving herd of Highland cattle.
Leicester City Council
Location:Leicester
In brief:Small herd of Longhorn cattle managed by a local farmer and used to graze riverside wet meadows with public access along the river Soar.
NT Purbeck
Location:Purbeck
In brief:Large area of heathland and woodland managed with in - hand Exmoor ponies and grazier cattle. Multiple land uses and objectives and high public access. A cattle herding project is to be established.
Surrey Wildlife Trust
Location:county-wide
In brief:The Wildlife trust manage the full range of habitats across their reserves and have taken on the management of MOD training areas in the county. They have established a herd of Belted Galloway cattle and employed a stockman. They will be investigating selling local food direct as part of this project. Cattle foraging behaviour is monitored using GPS collars. They also work with graziers on many sites and livestock from other partner organisations. The Trust merged with the countryside department of the County Council several years ago.
Sussex Wildlife Trust
Location:county-wide
In brief:The Trust manage the full range of habitats across their reserves and work with graziers and have their own stock: 1,000 + sheep (Herdwick, South Down, other) and 50 + cattle. They employ a stockman and are involved in several innovative naturalistic grazing systems, e.g. at Friston forest and Ebernoe Common with vegetation change closely monitored and cattle foraging behaviour studied using GPS collars.
Thorndon Country Park
Location:Chelmsford, Essex
In brief:Large area of wood pasture with grazing enclosures and managed by Essex County Council. They run Soay sheep and feral goats which have proved very effective at scrub control. They have also entered in to a share partnership with a local grazier to buy lambs and rear them for sale as breeding stock, growing them on site.
Cheshire Wildlife Trust Gowy and Mersey Washlands project
Location:Bickley Hall Farm
In brief:Three year project run by Cheshire Wildlife Trust focusing on restoring 266ha of coastal and floodplain grazing marsh
Mersey Gateway Saltmarsh Conservation Project
Location:Widnes Warth nature reserve
In brief:As part of the plan to create a new nature reserve on the Mersey Estuary, it is proposed to introduce conservation cattle grazing for a two year period to an area of saltmarsh. The aim is to increase both habitat and species diversity. The results will be monitored as part of a research project and if successful, will be rolled out to a much larger saltmarsh area in connection with the Mersey Gateway environmental mitigation programme.
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