GWSDF Auchnerran is a hill edge farm that is looking to inform other environmental organisations of the importance of integrated land management, influence Scottish government policy regarding the sustainable wildlife management in areas of productive agriculture and inspire farmers, land managers, communities and members of the public with the respect to the benefits farming and game management bring to our diverse countryside.
GWCT Scotland and the Auchnerran farm team were delighted to host Fergus Ewing, Cabinet Secretary for the Rural Economy & Connectivity and Jonathan MacLure, Policy Officer for the Environment & Forestry Directorate of Scottish Government. There were some interesting discussions about future agri-environmental schemes in Scotland, the exciting potential of the GWCT-lead idea of farmer clusters and the importance of integrated land management in a post Brexit UK.
Allan Wright, GWSDF Farm Manager, outlining the agricultural operations of the farm and the current plans of increasing sheep and land productivity.
Merlin Becker, GWCT Policy & Advisory Officer, demonstrates the best practice use of traps in Scotland and their importance to nature conservation in the UK.
The GWCT team and Fergus Ewing CabSec REC (from l-r Sarah Ballantyne, Head of Events, Allan Wright, GWSDF Farm Manager, Merlin Becker, Policy & Advisory Officer, Fergus Ewing CabSec, Andrew Salvesesn, Chairman GWCT Scotland and Dr Dave Parish, Head of Lowland Research).