#10years of partnership to feed the birds
Monday 14th August 2017
Nicholas Watts of Vine House Farm
Worcestershire Wildlife Trust is celebrating 10 years of working together with Vine House Farm Bird Foods.
Vine House Farm, the home of pioneering wildlife-friendly farmer Nicolas Watts and his family, grows 400 acres of bird seed, including 100 acres of sunflowers, and is a haven for a host of wildlife.
This month Wildlife Trusts across the UK are celebrating a flourishing 10 year partnership with Vine House Farm, working together for wildlife. By donating up to 5% of its sales to The Wildlife Trusts, Vine House Farm has raised over £1,250,000 to support wildlife conservation across the country, and inspire people to experience wildlife first-hand.
Over the last 10 years, Worcestershire Wildlife Trust has received £19,853 in donations from Vine House Farm.
Mike Perry, Head of Resources for Worcestershire Wildlife Trust, commented "By our members doing what they love, feeding birds, our partnership with Vine House Farm has supported our work to manage our nature reserves and educate children about the importance of wildlife."
Fourth-generation farmer Nicholas has been working the land at Vine House Farm in Deeping St Nicholas, Lincolnshire, since he was a boy. His birdwatching hobby became part of his work in 1992, leading to an MBE for his wildlife conservation work and wildlife-friendly farm management, and many other awards.
Nicholas Watts MBE, said: “Farming this way is a way of life for us and it brings about great pleasure to see wildlife thriving. I have always enjoyed feeding birds and now I am feeding more than I could ever have imagined with the help of our customers!”
Over the last 20 years, thanks to wildlife-friendly measures put in place at the farm, barn owl and whitethroat numbers have quadrupled, and tree sparrow and lapwing numbers have increased ten-fold.
Stephanie Hilborne, CEO of The Wildlife Trusts said "10 years ago, we chose to partner with Vine House Farm not just because they produce great birdseed but because of the amazing things they were doing for wildlife on their own farm and their very real commitment to our work.
"People taking action in the places that are closest and most important to them is a powerful force for change. The thousands of people who buy the birdseed are doing just this and so too are Nicholas and his daughter Lucy.
"We’re very proud to be working with Vine House Farm to bring about nature’s recovery and to bring the joy of wildlife into more people’s lives."
Tagged with: Feed the birds, Vine House Farm