The River Clun has supported one of the last populations of Freshwater Pearl Mussels in England, which are highly sensitive to pollution from nutrients and sediment but is now failing them. Agriculture plays an important role in addressing the pressures the SAC faces, and this project focuses on working positively with farmers to support land use change and diversification of income. 

The project, which was commenced in April 2024, is part of a national Protected Site Strategies pilot programme and involves research and direct engagement with farmers and land managers across the Clun catchment. To date, around 40 farms have been engaged over the previous two years. Participants have gained understanding of private finance and through individual farm audits have learned and considered how this could apply on their farms. 

The role involves building trusted relationships with farmers, supporting on-farm discussions, and helping link environmental outcomes with viable farm businesses opportunities. Alongside individual optioneering reports capturing opportunities for mandatory BNG, carbon or nutrient neutrality units on individual farms, the first two years of the project has also looked at a collaborative approach in selling ecosystem services off farm jointly with others in the catchment. 

With a working title of ‘the Clun Catchment Collective (CCC)’, we have worked with the participants to scope out how they could be organised, governed, and promoted to sell green products such as (but not limited to) carbon, biodiversity uplift, green social prescribing products, tourism related products, access, flood alleviation and water quality improvements. This has been done through a close relationship with a number of consultants and this will continue into the final phase with the aim to develop the CCC investment ready.