Wiltshire Wildlife Trust secures funding to help farmers

The Trust received £99,081, which will help farmers across the county become investment-ready for green finance.

The funding will allow Wiltshire Wildlife Trust, in partnership with Smart Land Management and Ecology, to assist farmers in developing nature-based projects that could attract private funding.

These projects may include Biodiversity Net Gain.

The initiative, which is based on the successful Bristol Avon Catchment Market, plans to engage more than 100 farmers.

Cows at Coombe Bissett Down (Image: Ellie Dodson)

It aims to help 15 farmers reach full project design, covering 100 hectares of land, to become investment-ready.

This could potentially unlock £12.5 million in private investment for projects that generate biodiversity net gain, carbon credits, and other ecosystem services.

Chelsie Fuge, head of nature recovery for Wiltshire Wildlife Trust, said: "We are thrilled to receive this significant funding from Natural England, which will allow us to accelerate our efforts to restore nature across Wiltshire.

"By working closely with farmers, we can unlock the potential of the land in Wiltshire to create vital ecosystem services, while also providing new income streams for the agricultural community, delivering benefits for both people and wildlife."

The project will engage with farmers through a series of online and in-person events designed to inform and encourage participation in environmental markets.

Clattinger Farm Farm Buildings (Image: Wiltshire Wildlife Trust)

Simon Smart from Smart Land Management and Ecology said: "Having worked with Wiltshire farmers for over 20 years, I'm thrilled to partner with the Getting Wiltshire Investment Ready initiative.

"This is a fantastic opportunity to collaborate with Wiltshire Wildlife Trust and farmers across the county to identify, develop, and secure profitable investments in environmental projects.

"Together, we can support Wiltshire's farming businesses while enhancing our natural environment."

A key aspect of the project is the development of detailed nature-based project proposals and associated documentation, which will identify opportunities to maximise environmental services, such as carbon sequestration, biodiversity enhancement, and water quality improvement.

Through these efforts, the grant will support the development of a pipeline of projects to create a robust foundation for future investment in nature-based solutions across Wiltshire.

The Wiltshire Wildlife Trust is committed to working collaboratively with farmers, landowners, and partners to achieve these ambitious goals.

This project represents a significant step forward in creating a thriving and sustainable future for Wiltshire's natural environment.

Farmers interested in finding out more about the project and how they can get involved can visit the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust's website.