The Trust’s new land advice consultancy will offer a wide range services from wildlife surveys to soil health analysis. For farm businesses, the Trust can support with guidance on Environmental Regulation compliance and support with Countryside Stewardship and Environmental Land Management Scheme (ELMS) applications. They will also offer specific guidance on creating ponds, restoring orchards and tree planting.

The Trust are pleased to announce that Michael Cope has joined the Nature Recovery team in the role of Land Advisor and Project Manager from 3^rd July. Mike has most recently come from an environmental consultancy, and has diverse experience in the agricultural and environmental and sectors. Mike will lead the advice service with support from existing staff who, together, offer a wide range of experience.

Mike says:

“It’s an exciting, challenging and fast-moving time to join the land advice consultancy service at Herefordshire Wildlife Trust. Working together and building trust with farmers, land managers and stakeholders is key, I look forward to listening to ideas and discussing opportunities, which provide positive wins for both farmers businesses and wildlife.”

Head of Nature Recovery at the Trust, Claire Spicer said:

“It’s fantastic to be officially launching this new service. We already get a lot of enquiries - from land owners with big farms wanting to build sustainability into their businesses to smallholders wanting advice on managing ponds and meadows - so it’s great to have the resources to provide this. For Herefordshire to achieve the goal of 30% of land managed for nature by 2030 it’s vital we work with land owners from all sectors. There are so many ways to make nature a part of farms and rural business without compromising on food production or income - and we’re here to work alongside businesses and communities to make this difference.”

See the full list of consultancy services here