Hub

Grow our Future

70% of the UK is farmed in some way. That’s why working with our farmers is the greatest opportunity we have of seeing nature recover and our wildlife numbers soar.

Field of oil seed rape and other farmland features at RSPB Hope Farm

Why does nature-friendly farming matter?

For our food
To grow food, we need farmers and nature. Healthy soils, clean water, a rich diversity of life - nature gives us the very things on which all food production depends.

For our wildlife
So much of our wildlife is in real trouble. One in six species is at risk of becoming extinct from Great Britain. That’s almost 1,500 species that could disappear. In Northern Ireland, 281 species could be lost. With so much of the UK farmed in some way, nature-friendly farming is the single biggest thing we can do to help our wildlife recover and thrive.   

For our future 
When nature thrives, so do we. A thriving natural world means sustainable farms, a stronger economy and a brighter future for all of us.  But right now the damage to the natural environment is slowing the UK economy and could lead to an estimated 12% reduction in GDP in the years ahead. 

70%of land in the UK is farmed in some way
Decline of61%in the abundance of 19 key farmland bird species since the 1970s
Pollinators are worth£500 millionannually to crop production in the UK

The action we need to see

Imagine a future with better food security, resilient farms, a stronger economy and a richer more vibrant natural world on our doorstep. We know what’s needed to get there. We need to:  

​​1. Grow funding  
A growing number of farmers are showing you can run productive, resilient farms and help our wildlife recover. But to achieve the scale needed to meet our nature and climate goals, we must protect and grow funding for nature-friendly farming. We can't wait any longer, the UK government and the governments of Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales must back nature-friendly farming now. 

2. Grow support 
Farming is a way of life, but also a livelihood. For landscapes to recover, for our wildlife to flourish, farmers must be supported to produce food in a way that restores nature and creates more places for our wildlife to shelter, feed and breed.  Our supermarkets have a huge influence over the ways our food is produced. They need to step up and support farmers to farm in nature-friendly ways.

3. Grow louder 
We live in one of the most nature-depleted places on the planet. There’s no shying away from the fact that fixing nature is a big challenge. But with 70% of the UK farmed, we know the answer must include nature-friendly farming.  Together, we’re louder and we’re stronger! Through the choices we make, the moments we speak up, we can all root for nature-friendly farming and grow a brighter future for our wildlife, our farmers and all of us. 

Farm Manager Gwynfor Evans on his farm an organic farm at RSPB Lake Vyrnwy.
Nature can’t afford a pay cut 

Right now, the UK Government is looking at how to cut costs and nature’s biggest funding pot – the farming budget – is in the firing line. 

Any cut would be a disaster for farmers and nature. 
 
Farming is a devolved issue across the four countries of the UK. But if enough of us call on UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves to increase investment in nature-friendly farming and it succeeds, it will help us put pressure on the Westminster Government and the devolved governments of Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales to do the same.

Take action - sign the petition

Tell Chancellor Rachel Reeves nature can’t afford a pay cut. Please sign our petition and help grow a brighter future for our wildlife, our farmers and all of us.

Become a campaign champion 

Join us as a campaigner and help us speak up and shout out for a brighter, thriving future for our wildlife, our farmers and all of us. You’ll get guidance and support from us and be the first to know about opportunities to take action online and in your community.