Washburn Valley Facilitation Fund

Following a generous grant from Defra, we are currently leading on a the Washburn Valley Facilitation Fund.

Facilitation fund programmes aim to help groups of farmers, foresters and land managers come together and improve the natural environment.  By joining the group, members are able to make environmental improvements across a range of habitats and landscapes, more so than could be done on an individual basis.

Through a series of talks, workshops, demonstrations and site visits, group members build and share their knowledge and experience, and gain exposure to fresh ideas and different perspectives.  The training for this three-year fund covers a wide range of topics, from water quality and habitat improvement to natural flood management and farm business planning.

The group also supports farmers to improve their farm resilience and establish a social network through joint learning initiatives, capacity building and mutual support.

Currently covering 20 holdings, the group is coordinate by a steering group made up of farmer representatives and members of partner organisations.  The fund facilitator, Marian Wilby, arranges the training, as well as addresses members learning needs and skill requirements, with administrative support provided by the National Landscape.

Become a member

The scheme is always open to new members.  For more information, get in touch with Marian Wilby, Nidderdale National Landscape Land Management Team Leader, on [email protected].

Additional Facilitation Funds

There are currently two other facilitation funds open to members in Nidderdale National Landscape:

• River Skell Facilitation Fund
  This three-year scheme ends in March 2020. For more information, get in touch with Marian Wilby, Nidderdale National Landscape Land Management Team Leader, on [email protected]
• Upper Nidderdale Facilitation Fund
  For more information get in touch with the scheme facilitator Claire Foster on [email protected]