WRT was pleased to have arranged a well-received citizen workshop attended by 23 people keen to learn more about ecological processes, nature recovery and the important role that farmers and agriculture have in restoring nature and biodiversity.
Teams were challenged to create a food web.
The workshop took place on the 2nd July at Woodland Valley Farm near Truro and was presented by Budding Nature and Chris Jones. Budding Nature gave a presentation which showed the importance of natural food webs and the vulnerability of species if any part of the web is compromised with some fascinating examples. There was also a focus on how gardeners, growers and consumers can do their bit to restore natural processes and ‘re-nature’ their green spaces.
Chris Jones gave a guided tour of his farm and describing the regenerative farming techniques they now use and the dramatic increases in biodiversity which they have observed.
We were then guided by Chris Jones on a tour of some key spaces on Woodland Valley Farm, where agro-forestry and mob grazing has successfully restored the diversity of grasslands. The abundance of so many butterflies, dragonflies and other invertebrates was clear evidence that wildlife was thriving alongside the beef herd. Even the large amount of biting horse flies did not appear to hinder attendees’ enjoyment of the event.
Derek from Budding Nature introduces himself to the beaver exhibit.
No visit to Woodland Valley Farm would be complete without a walk through the beaver enclosure to witness the astonishing wetlands that have been created, supporting their own abundance of life and providing an element of water resilience to the farm.
All in all, a well-received and successful event.