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Wyescapes Landscape Recovery - Autumn Update |
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It’s been three months since our last update – and what a summer! There was no shortage of summer sunshine, but drought conditions were testing on farms across the Wyescapes project area. Coming after months of waterlogged soils earlier in the year, it is a stark reminder of how unpredictable our climate is becoming – and how important it is to provide support for farmers to make bold land management changes that will build climate-resilience and protect food security.
And then, it felt like the season turned almost overnight. At last, after such a long hot summer, we had much-needed rain. It was a shock to start needing jumpers and coats again! With the harvest-in, ‘back-to-school’ feeling in the air and the crisp, cool autumnal mornings, the next big milestone for Wyescapes has come into sharp focus: submitting six detailed project plans to Defra before the end of the year. These plans for more than 5,000 hectares of land along the Wye and Lugg and represent a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for joined-up, long-term action.
The end of September also brought World Rivers Day – a moment to reflect on the importance of making space for water. And on the day this email hits your inbox, the news is yet again full of River Wye coverage as law firm Leigh Day announce that the biggest legal claim ever in the UK over environmental pollution, has now been filed at the High Court.
We believe that it is vital for farmers, landowners, and local partners to work together to restore habitats, improve water quality, and build resilience for the Wye and Lugg. The Wyescapes project is built around on-the-ground land management changes that promote ecologically healthy river corridors for thriving wildlife, clean water, sustainable farming, and stronger landscapes for the future. |
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Baseline Data CollectionThis summer, ecological surveys across the Wyescapes area were completed – from breeding birds and pollinators to habitat features. These baselines give us a clear picture of the starting point and will ensure we can measure big differences that the project can make.
Opportunities mapped
We now have a complete picture of the potential opportunities across all participating land parcels. It’s an exciting step that shows the scale of what could be achieved by working together. See some headline figures in the graphic below!
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| | Funding ModelThe next big task is finalising a blended funding model. This will combine public funding with private investment – including organisations purchasing environmental credits generated by habitat creation and water quality improvements.
Farmer commitments
Over the coming months, we will finalise proposed Wyescapes payment rates to support and recompense farmers’ environmental actions – from improving soil health and managing grasslands for wildflowers to thrive, to planting trees and creating wetlands. Each of the 49 participating land managers must then make a final decision to confirm their inclusion in our final project bid. This is a significant step; farms will be making 20+ year commitments that will affect not just those farming in the 2020’s, but future generations too. |
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Mapped habitat opportunities across Wyescapes now include: |
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Stakeholder Engagement
Conversations with local organisations are still ongoing to explore a wide range of opportunities for collaboration in project implementation phase. It’s fantastic to receive such a positive response across diverse organisations across environmental, community projects, education, health, and cultural spheres. If there is an opportunity you’d like to share with us, please contact our Engagement & Communications Manager, Jennie@herefordshireruralhub.co.uk. |
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| | Public AccessWe’re also developing detailed case-study plans for a representative range of the kinds of public access enhancements that would be possible across the project area. These include new paths and increasing accessibility for users with a range of different access needs.
FYI for those with an interest in walking - Ross Walkers are Welcome have two vacant roles - for Ross Walking Festival & group treasurer - see details below. |
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Raising awareness of Wyescapes is vital, and earlier this summer Wyescapes had some fantastic coverage:
- Hereford Times visited The Rudge’s family farm at Ballingham Court to share the story of how farmers are collaborating on a new long-term landscape recovery approach - read the article HERE.
- BBC Midlands Today ran a feature with Environment Correspondent David Gregory-Kumar, filmed between torrential showers (pictured below) – the first and only time it had rained in months! Huge thanks to all the project participants who stepped up to the camera. You can read the news report on BBC news website HERE.
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Ellie Chowns MP Visits Wyescapes |
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On the first anniversary of her election, local MP Dr Ellie Chowns visited Wyescapes at Thingehill Court, Withington, hosted by farmer James Hawkins. Walking floodplain fields beside the River Lugg, Ellie saw areas earmarked for new wetlands designed to hold water during floods and store reserves in dry periods, also creating vital biodiversity hotspots. Plans also include reverting arable land to permanent grassland, strengthening hedgerows, and planting trees to store carbon, improve infiltration, and provide shade and microclimate benefits. |
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The visit also explored restored quarry lakes managed on the farm, showcasing how wetlands can support wildlife and provide water reserves. Discussions covered the role of livestock in maintaining biodiversity of wildflower meadows and the huge potential of landscape-scale coordinated action.
Read about Ellie's visit more HERE. Since her visit, Ellie Chowns MP has spoken about Wyescapes in the House of Commons, bringing our project to the direct attention of the Minister for Water and Flooding and re-iterated her invitation for farming and water ministers to come and visit our innovative farmer-led project. |
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Volunteers have already played a key role in Wyescapes. This year alone, they contributed the equivalent of more than 30 working days helping with habitat, bird, and pollinator surveys.
Numerous studies show that volunteering is linked with higher life satisfaction, happiness, and better health. It’s also a great way to build new skills and confidence or to find new environments to apply your experience. Volunteering forms an important pillar in our Wyescapes community engagement plans.
One of our fantastic volunteers, George, an Environmental Science and Ecology student from the University of Gloucestershire, shared his volunteering experience in a recent blog post HERE. Thanks once again to all our volunteers – your support is invaluable. |
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By the end of the year, we hope to share our final Wyescapes plans with Defra. At that moment, we’d love to celebrate all the hard work and show the strength of support for this project. Keep an eye out for our next newsletter in December, where we’ll share details of how you can get involved in a social media moment to help cheer-on our game-changing Wyescapes plans. If you already know you’d be happy to get involved in a social media moment – please do let us know! |
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| | Note from Mark Wood, our Wyescapes Project Board Chair Thank you for your continued interest and support. Over the next few months, you’ll find the Wyescapes team and partners, heads-down, working hard on piecing together the intricate and all-important fine details of our plans. But we remain extremely motivated by the huge benefits and vital importance of long-term collaboration at this scale. Please keep backing all the partners involved and most of all the Herefordshire farmers and land managers preparing to make such a significant commitment to restore the Wye and Lugg landscapes – for nature, and for future generations. |
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Wyescapes Ecosystem Services |
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| | Wyescapes is developing a range of natural capital products from biodiversity uplift to carbon credits as well as offering other nature-based solutions and uniquely engaging ESG opportunities.
If your organisation is interested in partnering with Wyescapes or learning more about our ecosystem services offer, please get in touch to register your interest. |
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Could you help - Ross Walkers Welcome? |
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Walking Festival Coordinator
Ross Walkers are Welcome have just delivered another successful annual Ross Walking Festival.
However, their main festival coordinator is retiring this year leaving an opportunity for someone who understands the needs of walkers to take over the reins. Support to actually lead the walks will continue to come from new and existing leaders, and the Walkers are Welcome team will also give training/handover and ongoing assistance. The main role is pulling the programme, ticketing and marketing information together and ensuring that all runs smoothly on the day. There is also scope for others to join as a small Festival Team. |
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| | Treasurer – Ross Walkers are Welcome A small, but vital role to manage and report on our financial transactions; but with opportunities to play a larger part in the wider team if desired. Role includes keeping records of income and expenditure (c. 50 transactions in 2024), managing account/online banking, simple annual budgets/forecasts and interim & annual reports and arranging our public liability insurance. To express interest/ find out more about either of these roles contact rosswalkingfestival@outlook.com and see www.walkinginross.co.uk |
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The Wyescapes project teamPlease find below contact details for the project team at Herefordshire Rural Hub. |
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| | | | | | Max Eckert -
Hub Wyescapes Programme Manager
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| | | | | | Dan Smith -
Hub Farm Facilitator
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Disclaimer The Herefordshire Rural Hub accepts no liability for any direct, indirect or consequential loss arising from any action taken in reliance on the information contained. |
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Herefordshire Rural Hub,
Agriculture House, Beech Business Park,
Tillington Road, Hereford
HR4 9QJ
Tel: 01432 268428
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