Second year students from Bangor University School of Natural Sciences visited one of the project’s farms on Anglesey for a farm field trip, led by Logan Crimp, Agriculture and Conservation officer for GWCT Wales.
In the month of May, on a hot sunny day, the students were welcomed to Fferam farm in Paradwys, one of four farms involved in a project funded through the Anglesey Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) Sustainable Development Fund. The project focuses on working closely with farmers to highlight and enhance the biodiversity benefits that can result from sustainable farming practices.
The students were shown round the farm, witnessing all aspects of the project, from how feeders were installed to supplementary feed farmland birds over the hungry gap, to all the different monitoring techniques we use. Being able to show off our amazing technology, such as AI cameras for monitoring and identifying both bird and mammal species remotely, this gave insight into modern monitoring tech.
What really got the students’ attention was our drone, giving a quick demonstration of how easily we could habitat map an area of farm, enlightening the students about the promising future of using technology in the field of conservation.
Also in attendance for the day was Laura Hough, a Project officer from Menter Mon. Being out in the field and getting explanations from Laura, the students were able to see different projects implemented in a farmland setting for the purpose of water voles. Including the restoration of a mill pond, constructed leaky dams and the management of vegetation around ponds, but also the predation management of American mink. This gave the students perspective of all the measures needed to be taken in order to conserve a species effectively.
The visit gave students a valuable opportunity to see applied conservation in action and to learn how modern technology can be used alongside traditional land management practices to support biodiversity in real world farming environments.
For further info or to get in touch to arrange a school, community, group or university field trip contact us
Glad to read this information. Thank you. Jennie