whole farm conservation plan · template 15.9.08 lk.doc 3 4 key wildlife habitats choose the...

Example Farm

Whole Farm Conservation Plan

Aim: To meet the ‘Wildlife and Landscape’ requirements of Section 6 of the LEAF

Marque standard 2009, by raising awareness of key wildlife habitats, other

environmental and archaeological features and best farming practice.

Mr/Mrs Name

Farm

Address

Address

Post code

Telephone: 000000000

Reference: farmername\00.00.00report.doc

30 September 2008

Prepared by: Adviser Name

Exampleshire FWAG, Address, Address, Post code

Telephone: 0000 000000 Fax: 0000 000000

E-Mail: [email protected]

Contents

1 Farm Details ......................................................................... 1

1.1 Landscape...........................................................................1

1.2 Designations.........................................................................1

2 Objectives............................................................................ 1

3 Action Plan........................................................................... 2

4 Key Wildlife Habitats............................................................ 3

4.1 Hedgerows...........................................................................3

4.2 Stonewalls.............................................................................3

4.3 Ditches / Drainage Channels ...........................................3

4.4 Trees.......................................................................................3

4.5 Field Margins ........................................................................3

4.6 Beetle Banks (Native Habitat Banks)...............................4

4.7 Conservation Headlands ..................................................4

4.8 Arable / Uncropped Land ................................................4

4.9 Farm Roads / Tracks ...........................................................4

4.10 Grassland..............................................................................4

4.11 Wetland ................................................................................5

4.12 Heathland ............................................................................5

4.13 Moorland..............................................................................5

4.14 Verges...................................................................................5

4.15 Ponds.....................................................................................5

4.16 Woodland ............................................................................5

4.17 Orchards...............................................................................5

4.18 Scrub .....................................................................................5

5 Key Species ......................................................................... 6

5.1 Key Species 1 - ???.............................................................6

5.2 Key species 2 - ??? .............................................................6

5.3 Key species 3 - ??? .............................................................6

5.4 Farmland Birds .....................................................................6

6 Archaeological / Historic Features .................................... 7

7 Access.................................................................................. 8

8 Future Opportunities ............................................................ 9

8.1 Entry Level Scheme ............................................................9

8.2 Higher Level Scheme .........................................................9

8.3 England Woodland Grant Scheme.................................9

9 Further Help ........................................................................ 10

10 Farm Map........................................................................... 11

template 15.9.08 lk.doc 1

1 Farm Details

Brief details of the farm, include; size, tenure, location, main enterprises

and rough proportions, landscape, catchment areas, designated sites,

current schemes etc. A summary of the farm set up.

1.1 Landscape

Describe key landscape characteristics of the area and relate farm

to Joint Character Area (JCA).

1.2 Designations

Mark SSSIs, SACs, SPAs, SAM’s etc on a designation map (see

example) map, describe the importance of the site and advice to

help maintain and enhance. Sign post to authorities.

2 Objectives The objective of this Whole Farm Conservation plan is to clearly define

the policy and plan for the conservation and management of wildlife

habitats and biodiversity, and archaeological or historical sites, on

kjsdhfdh farm. This includes all the key environmental features as listed

in the guidance notes of 6.1 of the LEAF Marque Standard.

The plan aims to enhance the farm to encourage greater biodiversity

and is linked to any Biodiversity Action Plans (BAP’s) that exist in the

local area or country.

You must ensure that decisions made in relation to agronomic

practices take account of this Whole Farm Conservation Plan and its

objects to protect and enhance the wildlife and landscape on your

Farm. Farming and Environment are inseparably linked.


3 Action Plan Summary of the agreed actions and proposed timing this must cover a

5-year span. Note to update annually (CFPs 1.5, 6.2, 6.20, 6.21 ensure

staff are involved)

Subject

Action Required

Timing

Uncropped

areas

Notify the relevant authorities and complete

and EIA as required. 6.4


4 Key Wildlife Habitats Choose the habitats of conservation importance relating to the farm

(include all land farmed including tenanted land with minimum 3 year

tenancy). Give brief details of the importance (locally nationally) and

advice to help conserve, restore or enhance the habitat. Mark on

map. Mention that LEAF Marque recommends 5% of farm to be

wildlife habitat (un-cropped) (R 6.22)

The points included beneath the sub-headings are specific

requirements for the LEAF Marque and should be mentioned if

appropriate. Include, where possible / appropriate rented in and let

land (CFP 6.23, R 6.27)

Monitoring / staff involvement (R 6.21, R 6.20)

4.1 Hedgerows

Hedge cutting frequency and timing advice (CFP 6.6).

Do not remove (CFP 6.5)

Restoring hedges –

New planting -

4.2 Stonewalls

(CFP 6.5) Stonewall maintenance

4.3 Ditches / Drainage Channels

Ditch and watercourse maintenance, cutting and clearing

frequency and timing. (CFP 6.7 Note also R 4.9, R 4.10 and R 4.11)

4.4 Trees

Don’t deep cultivate under in-field tree canopies (CFP 6.10)

Hedgerow trees - record, retain, 2m margin (CFP 6.9)

Felling licence (CFP 6.8)

4.5 Field Margins

Need for >50% of fields > 2ha to have 2m margins at permanent

field boundaries (CFP 6.11). NB This is different to XC requirements –

2m from base of hedge or ditch not centre, margins on


permanent boundaries not just hedge & watercourses.

Management advice for field margin strips – no ferts, pesticides

(except spot treatment) cut late summer etc. (CFP 6.12)

Seeding (CFP 6.15). Minimise driving / running on (CFP 6.16)

4.6 Beetle Banks (Native Habitat Banks)

Advise where to create 2m beetle banks (fields >20 ha). Benefits

to wildlife and management advice. (R 6.14)

4.7 Conservation Headlands

Advise where practical to site 6m conservation headlands.

Benefits to wildlife and management advice. (R 6.26)

4.8 Arable / Uncropped Land

Overwintered stubbles (R 6.18)

Monitor nests, spray rather than cultivate setaside (CFP 6.19)

4.9 Farm Roads / Tracks

No specific LEAF requirements

(Green tracks allowed as part of 2m margin - see CFP 6.11, but

note CFP 6.16)

4.10 Grassland

Stocking rates – timing & numbers, poaching risk and soil damage

(CFP 7.1)

River bank erosion – fencing-off watercourses (CFP 7.7)

Supplementary feeding – moving feeders, poaching potential etc.

(CFP 7.1)

Grassland margins - Need for >50% of fields > 2ha to have 2m

margins at permanent field boundaries – (CFP 6.11). NB This is

different to XC requirements – 2m from base of hedge or ditch not

centre, margins on permanent boundaries not just hedge &

watercourses.

Wildlife-friendly cutting techniques (CFP 6.19 + R 7.3)

Importance of clean pasture – wormers and effects on biodiversity

(not specifically mentioned in LEAF)

EIA requirements if planning to plough any permanent pasture

(CFP 6.4)


4.11 Wetland


4.12 Heathland


4.13 Moorland


4.14 Verges


4.15 Ponds

Include protection advice for arable as well as grazed fields.

(Appears to be no specific LEAF requirement)

4.16 Woodland

Text goes here. No specific LEAF requirements, but include eg rides

/ edges / glades / coppice / extraction / fires / deadwood / log

piles / archaeology

Felling licence (CFP 6.8)

4.17 Orchards

Cutting headlands (CFP 6.19)

4.18 Scrub

No specific LEAF requirements.


5 Key Species List of important species and populations:

Describe 2 or 3 BAP species (below) expected or seen on the farm, use

Species Information Sheets from FBAP / intranet.

5.1 Key Species 1 - ???

5.2 Key species 2 - ???

5.3 Key species 3 - ???

5.4 Farmland Birds

Describe provision for nesting habitat, summer and winter food for

birds.

(see R 6.26).


6 Archaeological / Historic Features Describe the important historic features on the farm and make

recommendations. Key headings may include; buildings, parish

boundaries, field patterns, scheduled monuments and other

archaeology.

(See CFP 6.17)


7 Access Describe the public and permissive access on the farm with a brief

description of requirements. Provide recommendations to help with

access management and sign post to others. Show statutory and

permissive access routes on the map.

Note CFP 6.24 and R 6.25


8 Future Opportunities

8.1 Entry Level Scheme

Text goes here

8.2 Higher Level Scheme

Text goes here

8.3 England Woodland Grant Scheme

Text goes here


9 Further Help Adapt for local contacts.

Subject

Contact

Website

ELS application

preparation

FWAG

02476 696699

www.fwag.org.uk

ELS, HLS information pack

DEFRA

0845 933 5577

www.defra.gov.uk

Waste, Pollution, Water

Management

Environment Agency

08708 506506

www.environment-

agency.gov.uk

Cross Compliance

0845 3451302 www.crosscompliance.org.uk

Single Payment Scheme

Rural Payments Agency

0845 6018045

www.rpa.gov.uk


10 Farm Maps Scan in or insert farm map with key and annotations relating to

recommendations in the text. See example and Guidance note 6.1:

� Areas and sites on the farm with statutory protection and/or with

important species or populations:

� Lakes, ponds and watercourses;

� Semi-natural habitats (e.g. moorland, wetlands, lowland heath,

species-rich grassland, broad-leaved woodland, forest etc)

� Linear features (e.g. hedges and verges, fence lines, farm

borders, field margins, walls, ditches, tracks)

� Public rights of way

� Archaeological or historical sites.

whole farm conservation plan · template 15.9.08 lk.doc 3 4 key wildlife habitats choose the...

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