Representatives from estates, farms and advisory boards from across the UK and Europe attended this year's Wildlife Farms & Estates England and Wales Symposium.

The sell-out event, which was held at The GWCT Allerton Project in Loddington, Leicestershire, contained a packed agenda full of thought-provoking and inspirational talks.

Speakers included WFE Chair the Earl of Leicester, Ed Barnston, Ross Ewing, Joe Evans, Jonathan Armitage, Dr Alastair Leake and Roger Draycott.

Discussions centred around the progress of WFE accreditation and the growing number of farms and estates signing up for Level One and Level Two.

The day started with an introduction from the Holkham Estate's Tom Leicester, The Earl of Leicester & Chairman of WFE. His estate was the first English estate to achieve Wildlife Estates accreditation in 2012.

He said: "Whether you are a landowner, farmer or manager, WFE accreditation gives you a real understanding of your land. When you have knowledge then you make better decisions on how to manage it."

Nuffield Farming Scholar Ed Barnston, the Estate Owner and Manager of the Barnston Estate in Cheshire, discussed his journey to becoming a Level 2 WFE farm.

Jonty Armitage, Head of Farming & Natural Capital, at Strutt & Parker, said: "The business of farming is subject to unprecedented scrutiny today. It means it's it more important than ever to manage our land so that it has a positive impact on the environment and that we're able to verify that we're doing so."

Ross Ewing, Director of Moorland at Scottish Land & Estates/Wildlife Estates Scotland (WES), was invited to talk about what's happening in Scotland. WES has 300,000 ha of accredited land (Level 2) across 50 estates and 850,000 ha at Level 1, across 180 estates.

Ross highlighted the political context in Scotland, where almost all legislation governing land ownership, land management, the environment, nature and biodiversity is devolved to Holyrood.

Against the backdrop of sceptical governments in a hurry to expedite change, he discussed how WES landowners can demonstrate that they are already delivering.

He said: "WES is near universally considered 'a good thing'. It commands institutional buy-in and support from a broad spectrum of stakeholders, including the Scottish Government and its agencies as well as landowners and influential e-NGOs. It is also impartial and independent and it is rigorous – and seen to be so."

He also discussed the Scottish Government's ambition to protect 30% of land, rivers, lochs, wetland and sea by 2030 and explained how WES Level 2 is 'the logical starting point from which to designate Other Effective Conservation Measures (OECMs)."

Joe Evans, Vice President of the Country Land and Business Association (CLA), said "WFE is the right thing to do. We're looking forward to seeing it grow and to welcoming in the next wave of members all committed to good farming practices."

There were talks from Dr Roger Draycott, Director of Advisory, Education and Gamebird Policy at the GWCT, and Dr Alastair Leake of The Allerton Project.

Dr Leake showed how game and wildlife management since 1993 – with habitat enhancement, winter feeding through hoppers and predation management in the nesting season – has had an impact on the number of GWCT breeding birds.

He said: "As we enhance and manage the land and woodlands better, we see an increase in wildlife. We've doubled the number of songbirds here in three years and we're seeing more brown hares and moths, despite a national decline. It's extraordinary."

Dr Draycott said: "Data informs land management and supports licence applications, which is why it's so important to measure and monitor our biodiversity. It also sets a benchmark of achievement and, importantly, reassures the Treasury that paying farmers for conservation work is value for money.

"I'm a big advocate of citizen science and getting the local community on board. Annual events such as the Big Butterfly Count, GWCT's Big Farmland Bird Count and the Partridge Count Scheme are just a handful of examples which allow comparisons of species richness and abundance between regions."

After lunch, attendees enjoyed a tour of The Allerton Project, one of the leading demonstration farms in the UK.

For more than 30 years, it has been at the cutting edge of research into sustainable farming methods, biodiversity and habitat creation and rural landscape management.

The tour included hearing about their research into sustainable landscape management, and seeing the trials they are doing on their soil, their approach to agroforestry and woodland and their work to transform how crops are grown. Hannah Clarke of Frontier Agriculture, Belinda Bailey of Syngenta and Roger Draycott of The Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust all gave their insights.

The event was sponsored by Evelyn Partners.

https://wildlifeestates.org.uk/

Case study

Ed Barnston runs the 1,800-acre Barnston estate in Cheshire, which is based on a traditional landlord/tenant style with predominantly dairy and some arable farming. Other interests extend to let cottages, a commercial business park, forestry, renewable energy, and a natural burial ground. The estate provides housing and employment for 300 people. Ed said:

"I believe that the best estates are pro-active. They share a positive mindset, they are forward looking, entrepreneurial and aspirational, and they challenge the status quo.

"They also welcome innovation by unlocking ways of dealing with nature conservation, sustainable food production, but also social concerns, tourism, education, climate change and renewable energy. 

"Pro-active estates drive in-depth analysis on performance, because analysis delivers rational, evidence-based decision making to maximise their potential. 

"On the Barnston Estate, our performance measurements use not just the 'bottom line' of finances, but an integrated approach to account for both the natural capital and the social capital, known as the 'Triple Bottom Line. We believe it to be not just "best in the world, but best for the world".  

"Pro-active estates also care about conservation, which is how I discovered Wildlife Estates. The accreditation process is not about catching you out but rather very collegiate in its approach suggesting how to improve and making helpful comments.

"I've found that there are a number of benefits. As landowners, we have a moral obligation to promote positive change, set personal high standards and an important part of our legacy building is to pass on land in a better state than it was received. 

"WFE is recognized as a significant achievement that will enhance your local standing with your communities.

"Accreditation also brings reputational gains - regular positive engagement with parish councils and key stakeholders on our projects has proven to build trust and reinforce existing reputational gains because of WFE accreditation. It's a chance to stand out from your peers.

"Accreditation forces you to undertake an internal assessment of your approach to land stewardship leading to a more informed understanding of your land.

"I think it builds business resilience too. We produce over 15 million litres of milk every year for Müller/Tesco and we need to demonstrate to the processor that we are not just exporting calories beyond the farm gates but also that we are a responsible estate that can prove our sustainability.

"Being accredited is a form of insurance to act as an independently verified evidence-based body; data helps our decision making; demonstrates we can farm sustainably in conjunction with nature; in turn builds business resilience for my tenants and me, and strengthens the relationship with our milk buyer.

"Accreditation can also help develop natural capital strategies; it can produce an action plan to maintain and enhance natural assets and realise new opportunities; and provides advice for ongoing monitoring and reporting.

"Our future depends on innovation, value creation, and the ability to keep farming in conjunction with nature.  The future is WFE accreditation – it's the kitemark of excellence."

About Wildlife Farms and Estates

Wildlife Farms and Estates is the England and Wales version of the European Wildlife Estates Label.

Established in 2005, the scheme represents over 1.9 million hectares and 450 estates in 19 countries across Europe. Its landowners and land managers are committed to giving every opportunity for wildlife and biodiversity to flourish and grow.

WFE Accreditation is the label of excellence. It is awarded to farms and estates that provide evidence of holistic and sustainable environmental, economic and social land management practices – recognising the multifunctional role of rural business and land use.

The accreditation process empowers land managers to navigate and better understand a range of evolving complex issues, including:

• Nature restoration, natural capital and potential engagement with green finance.
• New support policies providing payments for delivery of a range of public goods.
• The role of access networks and green space in physical and mental health.
• Demonstrating sustainability of rural land management to the public, supply chain and regulators through adaptive and resilient systems.
• Delivering national and international objectives including 30% of land protected for biodiversity by 2030.

Applicants follow a two-stage process known as Level 1 and Level 2.

At Level 1, owners and managers commit to ten fundamental principles in the responsible management of wildlife (the Wildlife Estates Charter) and to compliance with UK/EU legislation.

At Level 2, the Wildlife Estates Label is awarded following an independent assessment and review process via completion of a detailed questionnaire and a visit to the applicant.

https://wildlifeestates.org.uk/accreditation