21 May 2009

Volunteers out in the field for 10 years!

~East of England farmers pair with wildlife volunteers
for a decade of conservation action ~

The RSPB’s Volunteer & Farmer Alliance is celebrating its 10th anniversary this month.

The scheme pairs farmers who want to know more about the wildlife on their land with specially trained volunteers. In the East of England, farmland equivalent to the size of 60,000 football pitches has been surveyed over the last decade.

More than 700 surveys have taken place in the region since 1999, and over 100 volunteers are out - this month - adding to this tally. Local farmers that take part get more information about the birds on their land, and can benefit from advice about farming techniques that help local wildlife.

The RSPB has invested £2.5 million in the scheme, and across the UK volunteers have given up 77,000 hours of their time, walking the equivalent of four and a half times round the earth.

A celebratory reception at the House of Lords was addressed by environment minister Hilary Benn, and attended by top conservation and farming industry figures.

National Farmers’ Union President Peter Kendall said, “As a result of the effort of volunteers, many farmers have gained real understanding of the range of birds that live on their farms and have therefore been able to make a real difference in creating the correct habitat for farmland birds.

“The Volunteer & Farmer Alliance is a great example of how working together can forge the interest of the bird watcher with those of the farmer.”

Emily Field, RSPB Volunteer and Farmer Alliance Project Officer in the East said, “Thanks must go to the farmers for their enthusiasm for conservation, and hospitality towards the volunteers. We also owe a debt of gratitude to the volunteers for their dedication and passion, getting up at the crack of dawn when most of us are snoozing in our beds, to carry out surveys.

“The scheme has plenty of benefits. Volunteers get the opportunity to appreciate the farmed landscape and unique wildlife, while farmers get a record of the birds on their farm, often discover species they didn’t know they had, and also use the results to tailor their management to benefit wildlife on their farm.”

If you would like more information on how to become part of the Volunteer and Farmer Alliance scheme, please contact Emily Field on 01603 697514, or email emily.field@rspb.org.uk