Simple toolkit to show the biodiversity that farms support

Farmers and land managers taking part in the Campaign for the Farmed Environment (CFE) are being encouraged to enter a prize draw to receive a Linking Environment and Farming (LEAF) Green Box.

Launched a year ago, the LEAF Green Box is a simple, step by step approach for farmers and land managers to capture and record information about wildlife and the environment on their farm. The data they collect, from recording plant species, mammals, invertebrates, mammals, birds, amphibians and fungi helps farmers get to know the wealth of biodiversity that their farm supports as well as identify key sites for targeted action. Farmers can monitor their progress on resource protection, another key theme in the Campaign, through the water and soil sections of the Green Box.

Camilla Puzey, LEAF projects coordinator, said: Over the past year farmers and land managers have been undertaking voluntary management on their farms to help the Campaign succeed. The LEAF Green Box is a great resource which helps them realise how beneficial this activity has been for soil and water, wildlife and birds on their farms.

To enter the prize draw to win your own LEAF Green Box email cfeonline@nfu.org.uk by November 22, with a sentence detailing how you are supporting the Campaign for the Farmed Environment and why you think you should win. The winner will be drawn on November 30. For more information visit the latest news section at www.cfeonline.org.uk

• The LEAF Green Box is free to LEAF members and 50 a year to non-LEAF members. For more information visit www.leafuk.org/greenbox
• Campaign for the Farmed Environment partners are the NFU, the Country, Land and Business Association, the Agricultural Industries Confederation, the Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group, the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust, Linking Environment and Farming, Defra, Natural England, the Environment Agency and the RSPB. They have been joined by the Association of Independent Crop Consultants and the Central Association of Agricultural Valuers to create a powerful national partnership.
• The Campaign website www.cfeonline.org.uk – provides useful information about the campaign targets, themes and voluntary measures. It also highlights activities at a local level including coordination details, a diary of events and details of Beacon Farms.