          |
Volunteer & Farmer Alliance |
Volunteer & Farmer Alliance
Thanks to enormous enthusiasm from both volunteers and farmers, the RSPB's Volunteer & Farmer Alliance scheme has gone from strength to strength, providing a solid base from which thousands of farmers have been able to go on to give help to the birds on their land. The scheme was developed to help reverse the decline of farmland bird populations by working together with volunteers and farmers. Since the project began in 1999, we have undertaken over 4,000 surveys, with the help of nearly 2,000 volunteers. The scheme provides farmers with a survey of the birds breeding on their land, undertaken by RSPB volunteers - with the results presented on a map showing where on the farm the birds of conservation concern can be found. There is no obligation on the part of the farmer to do anything with the results, but if they would like to do more for birds and wildlife, the RSPB can put them in touch with professional advisers, who can suggest ways in which to enhance farmland for wild birds. There has been a dramatic decline in farmland bird populations, since the 1970s and this is largely because of the Common Agricultural Policy. By providing farmers with a free survey of the birds present on their farm, we hope that together we can improve conservation management for farmland birds. However, as we are only able to undertake surveys of breeding birds between April and June, and because of recent agri-environmental initiatives, the annual demand for surveys sometimes exceeds our ability to provide them. For more information, please read our annual newsletters (available as downloads from this page) or see the contact details below. ContactVolunteer & Farmer Alliance E-mail: volunteer&farmeralliance@rspb.org.uk Last modified: 19 September 2006 |
In more depthDownloads
|
Insect on dewy ears of barley - Andy Hay (rspb-images.com)
Herd of cows, West Sedgemoor RSPB reserve - David Kjaer (rspb-images.com, Ref: D_2006_11413_0029)
Archie Carmichael (L, on tractor) & Gus Keys (R = site manager) in farm yard at Kinnabus. Mull of Oa RSPB reserve. Islay - Andy Hay (rspb-images.com, Ref: D_2005_9857_009)
Bird illustrations by Mike Langman (RSPB)