A decade of monitoring shows Farmer Clusters are key to national nature restoration

Credit: GWCT on facebook

Recently published reports on two farmer-led conservation groups, supported by the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT), are a rare, evidence-based success story for nature recovery.

The results of 10 years of wildlife monitoring clearly demonstrate how coordinated action across whole landscapes can reverse the long-term decline of some of England’s most threatened farmland birds.

Reports from two neighbouring self-funded Farmer Clusters in Hampshire, Dorset and Wiltshire, show that by working together and with expert advice, farmers can reverse dramatic declines in a range of wildlife species while feeding the nation.

Martin Down Farmer Cluster in Hampshire and Dorset and Allenford in Hampshire and Wiltshire, which cover over 13,500 hectares (1.3 times the size of Paris), have seen some of the UK’s most iconic and threatened farmland birds and insect species bouncing back against a background of continued national declines.

In the Allenford Farmer Cluster, the number of breeding pairs of grey partridge reached 26 in the spring of 2025, compared with just seven in 2016, which is a 271% increase against a national decline of 93% since 1970. Butterfly diversity has increased by 48%, and there has been a 25% increase in bumblebee species over the decade, with two nationally scarce species recorded.

At Martin Down Farmer Cluster, red-listed corn buntings, which have nationally declined by 83% in the UK since 1967, have increased by an impressive 346%, grey partridge numbers have gone up by 147%, and butterfly abundance has increased by 183% with the diversity of species rising by 28%. Other wildlife which has benefitted includes, rare arable plants, turtle doves, barn owls, swifts, harvest mice, kestrels, brown hares and all farmland birds.

The secret to the success of Farmer Clusters, developed by the GWCT in 2012, is that an experienced facilitator can coordinate habitat creation across neighbouring farms on a landscape scale, providing wildlife networks which produce better results for biodiversity than the sum of their parts. GWCT Senior Farm Environment Advisor, and Facilitator for both Farmer Clusters Megan Lock undertakes much of the monitoring work herself.

She said:“I’m so proud of the efforts of two groups of farms and estates who by working together have proved that the Farmer Cluster model, combining sustainable agriculture with species recovery, is the solution to tackling the biodiversity crisis. Biodiversity recovery on a national scale will only be achieved with the right support for farmers who together manage 72% of the UK, nature reserves only cover 8% so will not be enough on their own.

“The data gathering through annual surveying and monitoring to produce these reports is essential. There is currently no financial support for monitoring, which I believe should be funded through new schemes. Without it we can’t see if the measures put in place are worth the effort and investment and more broadly the Government won’t know if it’s on track to hit its legally binding targets for nature recovery.”

The conservation successes have been achieved by the hard work of the farmers and gamekeepers in the Farmer Clusters creating habitat and linking it up with their neighbours. For example, the Martin Down Farmer Cluster has over 100ha of new grass and flower margins, a 50% increase in wild pollinator habitat, double the number of water scrapes for turtle doves and 600 hectares of grey partridge habitat alongside predation management by gamekeepers. Besides considerable private investment by the farmers themselves, many of these measures are funded through agri-environment schemes demonstrating their vital importance.

When Farmer Clusters were initially established, funding was provided by Natural England to pay facilitators to coordinate conservation efforts, but the existing Countryside Stewardship Facilitation Fund has now closed, and Clusters have had to find alternative sources of funding. Allenford and Martin Down Farmer Cluster members contribute £2 per hectare as a subscription since they were formed to help pay for facilitation, training, surveying and events.

Megan has recruited a small team of experienced volunteers from the local community who contribute to monitoring, her role is currently part-funded by the GWCT, which is a registered charity, and Allenford Farmer Cluster is supported by NFU Mutual Salisbury and Wareham branch.

Chair of Allenford Cluster and farmer Will Dickson said: “It is so encouraging to read the report on our conservation work and see how some species have flourished over the last few years. The cluster group is in great health, the enthusiasm displayed by everyone is contagious and we are looking forward to new ideas and projects that will continue to enhance the biodiversity throughout the area.”

Chair of Martin Down Cluster and farmer Cathy Shepherd added: “The role of the facilitator is essential. We are lucky to have Megan who is hugely committed and has built a trusted relationship with all the farmers over the past 10 years. That continuity is invaluable. She can see the opportunities but crucially, rather than a top-down approach she is out there delivering coordinated conservation on the ground and measuring the impact.

“It shows that if you get a determined bunch of farmers focussed on helping a particular range of species with the right facilitator you can achieve incredible results.”

DEFRA’s recently announced Farmer Collaboration Fund recognises the value of farmers working together and is designed to support delivery of environmental improvements as well at enhanced profitability. However, there is concern that it will fail to provide funding for existing facilitators and Clusters with a track record of success like Martin Down and Allenford.

GWCT CEO Nick von Westenholz, said: “The farmers and Megan deserve huge credit for what is a truly remarkable achievement in the context of continuing species decline across our countryside. Farmer Clusters will continue to be the mechanism to deliver biodiversity and emissions targets, and this will not be possible without facilitators, who should be adequately funded.

“In many parts of the country farmers cannot afford to put extra money in and don’t benefit from charitable support. What Megan has achieved proves that continued public funding for the facilitation of both new and established groups like Allenford and Martin Down is critical and represents real value for money.”

For a video on the clusters’ conservation successes, visit: A decade of monitoring shows Farmer Clusters are key to national nature restoration – Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust