A farm in the Highlands has taken great steps to improve the biodiversity and sustainability of the local area by planting almost 24km of hedgerows in recent years.

Farming UK reported on the steps taken by Sibminster Farm, which has received funding to create the hedgerows through the Agri Environment Climate Scheme. It has been awarded money to support its hedgerow planting in the 2015, 2017 and 2019 rounds of funding.

Farmer Stephen Sutherland told the publication that his farm, 40 per cent of which is under environmental management, has been working to improve biodiversity for 20 years.

He also explained that planting the new hedgerows has benefits beyond providing a haven for local wildlife.

“Not only does it contribute to making the farm more efficient and sustainable by providing new habitats, but the hedges provide good shelter for the livestock when the weather is harsh,” Mr Sutherland asserted.

Hedgerows aren’t the only sustainable projects Mr Sutherland has been investing in, however. The news provider also revealed that he’s created 3.88 hectares of water margins, 127 hectares of habitat mosaics and 18 hectares of wader-grazed grassland. In addition, his farm also has over 100 hectares of mown grassland for wildlife.

According to the Nature Friendly Farming Network (NFFN), over 70 per cent of the UK’s landscape is farmland which means it’s essential to make this space more sustainable and environmentally friendly to protect biodiversity in the country.

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