Farmer Guardians of the Upper Thames
Past projects
Since September 2019, FWAGSW has been working with partners to deliver 3 phases of Defra’s Test and Trials to develop a natural capital mapping methodology to which a sustainability standard and ecosystem services could be attributed with integrity.
Through this final part of the project, phase 3, we engaged 50 farmers across the FGUT catchment. We used satellite data alongside on farm verification to create habitat maps based on the UKHab classification system. We also worked alongside the Sustainable Food Trust to test their Global Farm Metric tool, which allows farmers to baseline their businesses, and find opportunities to improve its sustainability in various categories.
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Following the completion of the third Defra-funded trial, this work is now being continued under the NEIRF Project.
ELM 3
Collaboration for Climate Action (CCA)
This project, funded by the Farming in Protected Landscapes scheme, looked at creating a catalogue of potential projects across the Upper Thames. Baseline habitat mapping was used as a way of identifying issues and opportunities for nature on a landscape scale.
Water and Integrated Local Delivery (WILD): Cotswold Water Park
Working with local communities, and valuing their knowledge is a key part of the Integrated Local Delivery framework developed by Jenny Phelps. This framework was applied to pollution and riparian management across the Cotswold's water park, helping deliver capital works and providing advice. More information HERE.
