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PRESS RELEASE - 14 March 2011

Is Britain’s most wildlife friendly farmer in Berkshire?

Don’t miss out on the chance of winning the RSPB Telegraph Nature of Farming Award

The race is on to get entries in for this year’s RSPB Telegraph Nature of Farming Award with applications being accepted until Saturday 30 April.

The award aims to find the farmer who has put in the most work on their land to help threatened countryside species.

After the closing date, entries will be shortlisted to eight regional winners. A panel of experts will decide which four should go through to the national finals, and then the UK public will then decide the winner by casting their votes online via The Telegraph or at country shows throughout the summer.

All the details on how to enter can be found on the RSPB website at www.rspb.org.uk/natureoffarming.

Bruce Fowkes RSPB farmland advisor in the South East said: “We’ve had strong regional winners from the South East in previous years and seen some impressive projects underway. Farmers in Berkshire continue to do great work to help rare and threatened species such as the Lapwing, Grey Partridge and Corn bunting, so I hope we see lots of entries this year.

“Given the ongoing national decline in biodiversity, it’s critical that we support the people who face the dual challenge of delivering our food while acting as guardians of our countryside habitats and wildlife.

 “The Nature of Farming Award recognises farmers’ efforts to balance those two objectives, and also inspires others to try out wildlife-friendly farming.”

For the first time, there will also be a highly commended category this year, to recognise the efforts of farmers who have excelled in their support of farmland wildlife.

Last year’s winner in the South East region was Jon Capes of Hatherden House Farm near Andover in Hampshire. Mr Capes has a 500 hectare commercially-run arable farm, where he has taken measures to provide the three key requirements for farmland birds: summer food, winter food and nesting sites.

These measures are likely to benefit Skylarks, Linnets, Lapwings and Grey Partridges, all of which have been identified in the UK’s Biodiversity Action Plan as priority species needing conservation action.

Mr Fowkes added: “Not only is Mr Capes encouraging more wildlife onto his land, he also maintains footpaths, bridleways and explanatory signs, to make it easier for people to visit and to see his conservation work for themselves.”

This year’s judging panel will include:
Darren Moorcroft - RSPB Head of Countryside Conservation
Martin Warren – Butterfly Conservation Chief Executive
Victoria Chester – Plantlife Chief Executive
Fergus Collins – Countryfile Magazine

The competition is run by the RSPB, supported by Butterfly Conservation and Plantlife, and sponsored by The Telegraph.

The EU LIFE+ Programme funds RSPB work which supports wildlife-friendly farming that furthers sustainable development.