The project received new funding from Natural England (formally English Nature and the Countryside Agency) and Defra in 2006 through their Countdown 2010 grant scheme. This funding is aimed at increasing biodiversity, knowledge and a better understanding between stakeholders (parishioners, local schools, volunteers and landowners etc) across the project area. See us on page 5 of their report on what we've achieved by clicking here : Countdown 2010 Year 2 report

The works of restoring, creating and enhancing the different habitats found across the project area are creating a network of wildlife rich sites and corridors along which numerous species are able to travel. This work is contributing towards UK & Gloucestershire Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) targets that link biodiversity as a key indicator to the long-term health, sustainability and economic well being of our environment.

The project has been able, through this funding, to:

• Work closely with farmers and landowners to improve their land for wildlife and to access agri-environment schemes.
  
• Forge strong partnerships between all sectors in the project area from local communities, parish and district councils, landowners, farmers and businesses.
  
• To increase people's understanding of biodiversity and to create sustainable and lasting involvement from local people through active volunteer groups

Project Area:

The project is working in 12 parishes across the Severn Vale, training people in a range of wildlife identification skills and practical events. It is also talking to landowners and farmers to see how the projects work may support and advise them on small scale wildlife project or by helping farmers draw up DEFRA's new Entry Level Scheme (ELS) applications, a government scheme aimed at improving areas of farmland for wildlife and biodiversity.

Project achievements : The project has assisted 8 farmers in entering Defra's Entry Level Stewardship (ELS) and has also assisted 1 farmer in entering Defra's Higher Level Stewardship (HLS). Through the successful stewardship applications we anticipate to improve:

• 450 hectares (ha) of farmland for wildlife, making large landscape improvements across the project area.

• 35 km of ancient and species rich hedgerow now being brought into appropriate management for farmland birds and other BAP species identified by the project.

• 1.3 km of ditches brought into appropriate management.

• 2.35 ha of grassland being managed with low input to increase species richness of grassland.

The particular BAP species found across the project area that will benefit from both ELS and HLS schemes are Brown Hare, Water Vole, Farmland Birds, Reed Bunting, Linnet, Bullfinch, all BAP Bat species and Stag beetle.

Access improvements: Through our partnership with Gloucestershire Rights of Way Team, landowners and parish councils volunteers and project staff over the summer months have been installing new stiles and kissing gates along a number of public footpaths across the project area. As a result of this work 2.5 kilometres (km) of public footpaths have seen improved to enable local residents and ramblers better access to the countryside.

A special thank you must go to both Gloucestershire Rights of Way Team who supplied the kissing gate and stiles as well as the Cam Parish Council who both helped to pilot are first 1.75 km circular walk in Cam.

Also through the Defra's HLS scheme we have created 6.98ha of new open access land at a farm in Arlingham. This allows open public access on to those parcels of land covered under the stewardship agreement.

Forging strong partnerships between all stakeholders in the project area from local communities, landowners/farmers and parish and district councils:

• The project has held over 30 events from Water Vole survey training to practical habitat workshops. Through these events alone we have been in contact with over 400 people from across the project area.
• We are now working with residents and volunteers at Home Farm Trust, Frocester Manor to improve a number of different habitats found on their site.

• Working closer with other Non Governmental Organisations and Government bodies i.e. the Environment Agency, Severn and Avon Vale Wetland Partnership, Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust and Gloucestershire Environmental Data Unit.

• Project staff have started working with 5 primary school across the project area, drawing up work plans with the schools creating new habitat practical workshops linked to National Science and Citizenship curriculum.

The work with younger members of the community and schools within the project area contributes towards creating a new generation who are more aware and care about their local environment and biodiversity safeguarding it for the future.

The project partnership to date has been a huge success with good working relationships and processes set in place for the continued work of the project. In addition, other organisations have been keen to get involved. Through the partnership with Severn and Avon Vale Wetland Partnership we are now delivering some of their community targets, whilst SAVWP are providing us with expert advice on wetland creation.

If you are intersted in getting involved in any of the projects events or workshops have a look at the events guide on this website by clicking here:Stroud Valleys Projects - Forthcoming SVP Events

Website links to:
Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group
English Nature
UK Biodiversity Action Plan

Gloucestershire Biodiversity Action Plan