January 20th, 2020
Farmers Trial Smartphone App for Land Management
I thought New Year would be a great time to take stock of the progress made by the Rother Valley Farmers Group (RVFG) since its launch in 2018. I’ve certainly found it two incredibly rewarding years working closely with farmers on critical environmental issues and we’ve achieved a great deal.
The Land App Trial
Before looking back, let me give you the ‘News Flash’ which is that RVFG farms are just now trialling The Land App (TLA), a smartphone mapping technology with the potential to deliver major conservation benefits at the touch of a button.
This trial was set up by the South Downs National Park Authority (SDNPA) as part of the Government’s ‘Test & Trials’ programme. This, in turn, will influence the development of the new Environmental Land Management Scheme (ELMs), the UK’s likely replacement for the EU Common Agricultural Policy.
Growing Fast
RVFG membership has ballooned since 2018; now standing at nearly 50 farms working over 10,900hectares(2,700 acres) in the Rother catchment area (see map).
In its short life, under the auspices of the Arun & Rother Rivers Trust (ARRT),the RVFG has forged vital links between local farmers and host of important organizations such as the water industry, district and parish councils, wildlife and community groups, central Government and more.
Farmers have also had instruction on farmland birds and rare arable plants.
As a result, I’m delighted to say, members agreed to establish wildlife targets for lapwing, barn owls, yellowhammers, river invertebrates/fly-life and key arable plants such as corn marigold and cornflower.
This is just the start but it’s a great foundation for the future. Talking of which, it is widely expected that the farmer led landscape approach will be rewarded through future agri-environmental schemes. There is also growing interest in private funding to pay land managers for measures to mitigate climate change and deliver benefits for wildlife.
Our RVFG goal this year is simply put – 60/60. That’s 60 members representing 60% of the RVFG area. Having that level of participation will be great for the future of local farms, for our National Park and indeed for the whole regional environment.
January 20th, 2020
The Ivy League: Promoting Biodiversity
[caption id="attachment_1481" align="alignleft" width="240"] Common Ivy[/caption]
On a cold January day Richard Chandler and I were at Moor Farm to plan a farmland bird training event for...
January 14th, 2020
Sussex Angler Breaks British Record
A ‘monster’ Barbel has been landed in Petworth and Bognor Angling Club’s waters by member Colin Smithson, breaking the 13 year old British record.
Colin thought he had hooked a big Mirror Carp says...
December 4th, 2019
Joining The Dots!
A room full of landowners, farmers, anglers and conservationists, retired Environment Agency and water company managers – and a snail expert. That’s a typical ARRT management meeting. You’d think...
December 4th, 2019
School Helps Raise £2000 for Fishes
Barnham Primary School’s Eco Team joined up with environmental charity, the Arun & Rother Rivers Trust (ARRT) to raise nearly £2,000 towards its river protection programme.
The money comes...
October 11th, 2019
Little And Large
My fishing addiction began when barely six years old. A net on a cane and a jam jar was all I needed. Wellies on and mother in hand I’d go in pursuit of abundant (little) sticklebacks in the...
June 15th, 2019
Dealing With Diffuse Pollution – An Act Of Faith
From my upbringing in Scarborough on the east coast, then during service in the Royal Navy and latterly as an NFU environment adviser, I’ve lived on and with water all my life and care deeply about...
May 15th, 2019
Fishing For A Smile
I saw the tail first. It waved momentarily above the surface then disappeared instantly below the ripples. The rod jerked and dipped alarmingly towards the water; the reel screamed.
“Keep the rod...
May 14th, 2019
Chairmans View
As the recently appointed chairman of the board of the Arun & Rother Rivers’ Trust I am writing to set out my aspirations for the coming year.
I took over from Sebastian Anstruther the inspiring...
April 2nd, 2019
ARRT at the heart of the South Downs National Park
Ten years ago, a few of us decided to form the Arun & Rother Rivers Trust (ARRT), one of a nationwide network of trusts set up to protect our rivers and streams. That same year, the South Downs...