 It was fantastic to see such a positive response and a real willingness to work together from the 40 farmers and fire fighters that attended our recent ‘Tackling Farms and Wildfires’ event. Following the heightened risk of wildfires across the Shropshire Hills this summer, we teamed up with Clun Fire Service and Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service to bring together farmers and fire fighters to talk about the practicalities of tackling farm and wildfires.
The aim was to share knowledge, experience and practical advice around wildfire prevention, preparedness and response. The farming community has in-depth knowledge of the local landscape, access routes, water sources, land and potential hazards which is vital for the fire service when dealing with a wildfire.
The event included practical demonstrations for working effectively together and understanding fire service wildfire tactics and the role that agricultural machinery can play in this. To support the role farmers can play, we have funded adaptors to make farming equipment (water bowsers, sprayers and rainwater harvesters) compatible with fire service equipment, through the Farming in Protected Landscapes programme.
Farm businesses are also being encouraged to complete a Fire Emergency Information Form and Site Plan to identify local water supplies, farm access, land management and potential risks. This information is then available to hand to fire crews on arrival at an incident.
A big thank you to everyone who attended, and to Acton Farming Co. for hosting the event in their farmyard. We plan to hold similar events across the National Landscape over the coming year in partnership with Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service.
 Two of our ‘senior’ Shropshire Hills Young Rangers, Jasmine and Wülf, have been offered places on the Europarc Atlantic Isles Connect Exchange programme and are setting off to explore the beautiful Causeway Coast and Glen's AONB in October.
These exchange visits support cross border networking and learning by bringing young people together who work for, or are ambassadors within, protected landscapes in the UK.
The Causeway Coast and Glen's AONB Team is hosting the event which is focussed on working collaboratively to create a UK wide “Youth Manifesto for Landscapes”. This will be launched with the four environment ministers in Northern Ireland and England, Scotland and Wales.
We know Jasmine and Wülf will make an excellent contribution and will gain a great deal from the exchange visit. As our longest-serving active member, Wülf has contributed 280 hours and attended 70 Young Rangers sessions. Wülf has a passion for the outdoors, especially hands-on practical activities. Jasmine is an environmental campaigner in the making - she stands up for wildlife and the natural world and approaches all activities with enthusiasm and commitment.
Together, they represent the very best qualities of our Young Rangers programme and we look forward to working with them to deliver the Youth Manifesto for Landscapes.
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For more information about our Young Ranger Programme, please go to our website. |
 More than 40 people working with children and young people came together at the Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre in August for Sowing Seeds, a conference exploring how to inspire the next generation to connect with nature.
It brought together educators, youth workers, rangers and environmental organisations to share their experiences and learn from one another. Discussions focused on encouraging long-term involvement in nature-based activities, exploring pathways into conservation careers and understanding how young people can become the future champions of the natural world.
Our Engagement Ranger, Joe Penfold, talked about his experiences in leading the Shropshire Hills Young Rangers programme over the last five years.
- Understanding young people's motivations is important and creating flexible opportunities that allow young people to join when they are ready has been key.
- Planning activities that appeal to a wide range of interests and enabling the Young Rangers to shape the programme, has helped to create ownership and commitment.
- Introducing nature through engaging activities such as bushcraft, outdoor adventure and countryside crafts has helped to build strong connections with nature and sense of place. This connection turns into conservation - people protect what they love.
The conference has sparked calls for a Youth in Nature Network as next steps. By providing meaningful opportunities and positive experiences in nature, we can help nurture a new generation of confident, skilled and passionate advocates for the natural world.
 The Shropshire Hills Landscape Trust is celebrating a decade of helping local people to protect and regenerate the Shropshire Hills National Landscape.
The Trust has supported more than 135 conservation projects over the last ten years and distributed £200,000 in locally raised grants. The projects have brought together more than a thousand people of all ages to better understand and improve the National Landscape's natural beauty, wildlife and heritage.
These small grants have catalysed big changes, with local knowledge and expertise guiding the conservation work as communities come together around shared purposes. The funding comes principally from Friends of the Shropshire Hills regular subscriptions and The Millichope Foundation, with contributions also welcomed from businesses, parish councils and individuals.
The projects and volunteer work covers an incredibly broad range of activity – from wildflower meadow management, butterfly recovery, curlew and swift conservation, pine marten and dormouse monitoring and wildlife pond creation to road-side verge restoration, veteran tree care, forest school development, youth ranger support, river improvement and heritage building restoration.
The Shropshire Hills Conservation Fund opens in October, so if you have a project idea, please get in touch. There is more information about the Fund and how to apply on our website.
Anyone able to become a Friend, a business supporter, or to make a one-off donation to mark the Trust's 10th anniversary would make a real difference to what can be achieved in the years to come.
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Every contribution helps the Trust say yes to more worthwhile projects, getting more people involved in caring for more of the Shropshire Hills.
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This is a chance to hear about one of the projects which the Trust has supported through the Conservation Fund.
Wednesday 21st October, 6.30 - 8pm, at Norbury Village Hall
For more information and to book, please click on this link below:
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