Farm and woodland conservation

We cover:

• Farming and woodlands and their contribution to landscape, wildlife and heritage
• Environmental management of rural land
• Countryside conservation and enhancement

The main services we provide are:

• Advice and help to land owners and managers and parish councils
• Advice on environmental stewardship and other funding
• Preparing grant applications for both farmland and woodland
• Liaising and co-ordinating with a range of environmental and other specialists, interests and bodies
• Talks, walks and other events
• Advice to the County Council on the environmental management of its property, from farm and woodland conservation to its planning and other services
• Advice to the National Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group and to individual advisors

Contact: Matthew O'Brien |

We also support:

• The partnership with the Bedfordshire Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group which delivers this service. See below for more details

Local services provided by others include:

The Forestry Commission supports woodland planting and management, and works through County Councils and a variety of other organisations

Contact:

Anita Stone|

Forestry Commission
Santon Downham
Suffolk
IP27 0TJ

Telephone: 01842 815544.

DEFRA (Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs) supports farmers and the rural economy and offers various environmental grant schemes.

Contact:

Jim|  Gammie 
Rural Development Service| (opens in new window)
Eastbrook
Shaftesbury Road
Cambridge
CB2 2DR

Telephone: 01223 462727

The Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group which is a national charity providing conservation advice to farmers (see below for details). FWAG in Bedfordshire is closely linked to the County Council and can be contacted through Matthew O'Brien.

The following trusts work with local communities to conserve and enhance the natural environment of Bedfordshire.

The Special Trees and Woodlands of the Chilterns| (opens in new window) project involves the public in identifying, recording and celebratingimportant parts of our natural heritage.

The Wildlife Trust| (opens in new window) for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Northants and Peterborough  owns nature reserves and carries out a wide range of biodiversity work.

Important organisations and other sources of information include:

Natural England (English Nature)| (opens in new window) champions the conservation of wildlife, geology and wild places in England. A Government agency, Natural England has many responsibilities. It works with a wide range of people in a variety of ways and tries to enable others by giving advice, grants and licenses.

The activities of the Environment Agency| (opens in new window) range from influencing Government policy and regulating major industries nationally, right through to day-to-day monitoring and clean up operations at a local level. Areas of activity includeflood defence, pollution control, town planning, farming and waste. The EA works closely with local communities to achieve results.

The Forestry Commission| (opens in new window) is responsible for forestry policy throughout Great Britain. Its mission is to protect and expand Britain's forests and woodlands and increase their value to society and the environment.

The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds| (opens in new window) is a major UK charity working to secure a healthy environment for birds and wildlife.

The Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group| (opens in new window) is a major charity that exists to provide farmers, landowners and all its other clients with the best opportunity for environmental gain through cost effective, quality solutions. It follows a whole farm approach as all parts of the farm are important for conservation.

The Anglian Woodland Project is a partnership of the county councils in the eastern region and works to further woodland issues from energy supply and community involvement to wood users throughout the region. It produces a periodic magazine 'In Leaf'.

The main contact for our services is:

Matthew O'Brien|
County Countryside Officer
(Bedfordshire CC and FWAG)
Heritage & Environment Service
Bedfordshire County Council
Cauldwell Street
Bedford
MK42 9AP

Telephone: (01234) 831052 and 0781 84584 (mobile)