FWAG 40th anniversary campaign is launched in Cornwall

"Farmers already make a significant contribution to the UK's wildlife conservation but a special push for 2009 could see all the difference" was the message at the launch of the Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group's (FWAG) 40^th anniversary campaign "Do One Thing for Wildlife!"

FWAG's special birthday initiative is urging farmers, landowners and anyone who appreciates the countryside to "Do one thing for wildlife!"  - an on-farm conservation activity additional to those already being implemented that will celebrate FWAG's 40^th year and also make a meaningful contribution to wildlife conservation. Suggested actions include ideas for habitat establishment or improvement through restoration or creation of new on-farm features.  

The winners of the 2008 FWAG Silver Lapwing Award for farm conservation - Richard and Ian Lobb of Kestle Farm, St Ewe, St Austell, Cornwall - yesterday launched the "Do One Thing for Wildlife!" campaign by planting some native trees to provide a habitat for song birds and other wildlife species. 

The FWAG website has a special "pledge" page that lists possible conservation activities and allows farmers and landowners to register their own particular pledge.    The campaign also gives non-farming members of the public the opportunity to make a donation towards the activities of FWAG and make the pledges become a reality. 

"Do one thing for wildlife!" is being supported by many of FWAG's partner organisations including the Barn Owl Trust, Bat Conservation, British Trust for Ornithology, Pond Conservation, Flora Locale, Woodland Trust and the Bumble Bee Conservation Trust.

Managing Director of FWAG, Andy Ormiston, said ""FWAG's 40^th year campaign is a fantastic opportunity for farmers and landowners to demonstrate to the public that they are stewards of our countryside heritage.   Even the simplest actions, such as planting an area of wildflower seeds or putting up a bird box, can have long standing beneficial effects. Since 1969 we have been helping tens of thousands of farmers with on-farm conservation measures but just imagine if all the UK's current agricultural holdings did just one extra thing for wildlife this year - what a meaningful statement of commitment that would be to farming and wildlife in the 21^st century."

At the end of 2009 FWAG will be compiling a case book of "wildlife pledges" that have taken place on farm as a result of the campaign, together with detailed case studies.  This information will be used to present a collective message to Government, the wider public and the industry about all the good things that are happening on farms for the benefit of the wider environment.