The changes in agricultural practices and the increase of homogenous large-scale farms are causing a concerning loss of biodiversity in agricultural landscapes. However, restoring agricultural habitats and enhancing farmland species is a goal that unites hunters, farmers, and policymakers. The regional Dyn’Agrobio project enables Hunters’ Federations to strengthen, multiply, and deploy their actions in favor of the restoration and conservation of habitats and biodiversity in rural areas of the Centre-Val de Loire, France.
This three-year project represents a total investment of over €1,730,000, which is financially supported by the Fédération Nationale des Chasseurs (FNC) and the Office Français de la Biodiversité (OFB) through the biodiversity fund of the Eco-contribution system. One of the main goals of the project is to improve habitat management. This includes creating new wildlife habitats, such as hedgerows and groves, and restoring degraded habitats.
The project also educates farmers and other local stakeholders, such as landowners, land managers, local politicians, and citizens, about the importance of good habitat management for nature. To achieve the project’s goals, the FNC is applying measures that are favorable to biodiversity, water, and soil. This includes planting hedgerows and groves, creating ponds and lakes, reducing pesticide use, and establishing areas with good conditions for pollinator insects.
Policy Relevance
The Dyn’Agrobio project is one more example of the significant work that hunters and farmers are making for European nature. The union of nature conservation interests from hunters with the farmers’ lands and capacities creates benefits for the farmland wildlife and habitats and for farm crops through the increase of pollinator agents and has the power to change agricultural landscapes in favor of European ecosystems. The new CAP must support this important work made by hunters’ organizations and farmers in a path aligned with the goals of the New Restoration Law and the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 for a future rich in biodiversity and wildlife.
Since April 2023, this important work has been continued by a new multi-year project, which includes an analysis of the implemented measures that have been successfully put in place by farmers with the support of the hunters’ federations.
Habitat management measures:
- Planting new hedgerows and groves
- Restoring degraded wetlands
- Creating ponds and lakes
- Managing forests for biodiversity
- Reducing pesticide use
- Educating farmers and other stakeholders about good habitat management practices
Source: www.chasseurdefrance.com
