Hampshire and Wiltshire farms to appear on Countryfile tonight
They are showcasing their conservation work with the Martin Down Farmer Cluster
Three farms that form part of the Martin Down 'Supercluster' found in Cranborne Chase on the Hampshire, Wiltshire and Dorset borders, are appearing on Countryfile tonight.
The Fordingbridge Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust, and the BBC team recently visited the farms to see farmer-led conservation in action.
The neighbouring farms work together to deliver benefits for soil, water and wildlife at a landscape scale.
Over 150 Farmer Clusters in the UK are supported by a facilitator who sets their own agenda and conservation priorities.
WHAT IS THE MARTIN DOWN SUPERCLUSTER?
The three 'Farmer Clusters' made up of 46 farms cover 236km2 of the Cranborne Chase area of Dorset, Hampshire and Wiltshire, surrounding the famous wildlife-rich Martin Down National Nature Reserve.
HOW ARE THE GAME AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION TRUST INVOLVED?
The trust helped the Farmer Cluster from the start, establishing the farmer-led Marlborough Downs Nature Improvement Area project in 2012, and then the first pilots of farmer clusters in partnership with Natural England in 2014.
The GWCT, along with other rural organisations and advisors, continues to provide support and advice to help new and existing farmer clusters.
Tim Palmer is one of the farmers, he showcased the 'clusters' concept and what they have achieved:
"Thanks to the farmers' own commitment and enthusiasm, it is amazing what we have achieved in four short years. Presenter Ellie Harrison helped one of our farmers create a drinking puddle for one of our priority species, the turtle dove.
"On another farm, the crew filmed a butterfly bank being sown with kidney vetch to support the rare small blue butterfly."
Achievements by the cluster were set out by GWCT's Jess Brooks.
"Since 2017 I have been immensely proud to work with the farmers of the Martin Down Farmer Cluster - one of the three farmer clusters which make up the Martin Down 'Supercluster'.
"They have stabilised turtle dove numbers, doubled the populations of wild grey partridges and corn buntings, and increased butterfly species numbers on their farmland by a third. On these 12 farms alone, we have created over 85 hectares of new wildlife habitat, dozens of new ponds and puddles, and 10km of new hedgerows and beetle banks.
"This sort of work is being replicated on the other farms within the supercluster and on farmer clusters across the UK. It is very rewarding to see how quickly we have made a difference at a landscape scale."
The Countryfile episode will be broadcast at 6pm on Sunday 9th May.