Sustainability at Woodsland Farm - Candida Dunford Wood and Helena Blaker
Having taken over management of the farm in 2018, Candida and Helena have completely changed the management of the farm to farm with wildlife and ecosystem services in mind while also providing sustainable, local food. Through working with Dan Burdett at Cockhaise Farm, and with the Sussex Wildlife Trust and Sussex Flow Initiative they have been able to achieve some of these aims and will be talking to the group a bit about their journey over the last few years.
Sussex Wildlife Trust - Sussex Flow Initiative, Nature Recovery Networks, and Ecosystem Services - Fran Southgate and Sam Buckland
As Project Officer for the Sussex Flow Initiative, Sam has been working with Farmers and Landowners across Sussex to implement Natural Flood Management measures and will be talking about those implemented in the Upper Ouse and on Woodsland Farm. Fran will be explaining some of the mapping work that has been done on the Nature Recovery Networks as well as identifying ecosystem services and nature-based solutions across Sussex so that you can see how it can be applied to your land.
Landscape Ecology Programme, Kew Wakehurst - Rebecca Roberts and Iain Parkinson
Kew Wakehurst launched its Landscape Ecology Programme last year in order to collect information on the value of UK biodiversity with the intention of sharing this information with farmers to help them assess their Natural Capital assets and provide guidance on how to manage habitat to enhance ecosystem services. Rebecca Roberts and Iain Parkinson will be coming to talk to the group more about this project and will be trying to get an idea of what information will be most useful to farmers.
Farm walk around Woodsland Farm
After a short break, we will follow Sam to take a look at the Natural Flood Management features implemented around Woodsland farm as well as some of the other management practices which have been incorporated at Woodsland farm.