Jane Edge’s Post

Fully supportive of this plan. Sustainably harvesting plant and animal products from designated natural areas: - Promotes genetic diversity and numbers of target species - Conserves non-target species - Promotes natural habitats and landscapes - Reduces agricultural environmental and climate impact - Encourages local production and consumption - Demonstrates direct benefits of conservation and sustainable resource-use, promoting buy-in The ethics around hunting are only one element to consider in the cost-benefit analysis of what can be a very useful conservation and sustainability tool. #Sustainability #Sustainablesolutions #Sustainableresourceuse #Conservation

Managing Human-Wildlife Conflicts in Sri Lanka's Agriculture Sector In Sri Lanka, agricultural producers face huge problems because wildlife, such as wild boars, peacocks, toque monkey and pigs, destroys crops and livestock, threatening their livelihoods. This has raised arguments about controlling these animals; some stakeholders have suggested a reduction in the populations of such species through culling, while environmentalists say otherwise, advocating for alternative measures to preserve biodiversity. Scientifically, a fair solution must be met to minimize this conflict while protecting the ecosystems from damage. It would cause less damage by using non-lethal methods of preventing them from entering the farmlands through barriers, natural repellents, crop rotation, and improved waste management. It is even more effective if communities in target areas are educated in practices that promote sustainability and have access to eco-friendly deterrents. Where there is massive overpopulation that greatly disturbs the balance of nature, controlled culling should only be resorted to as a last option and under close expert supervision. Also, research and monitoring will provide adequate knowledge on the dynamics of animal populations and their effect on ecosystems. Community-based wildlife management programs would be another avenue for collaboration among farmers, environmentalists, and policymakers to arrive at long-term solutions. By combining scientific knowledge with practical strategies, Sri Lanka can achieve sustainable coexistence, protecting both farmers' livelihoods and the country's rich biodiversity. Informed decisions are the key to resolving human-wildlife conflicts effectively. Inadequate surveys before killing animals may cause ecosystem disruption, resulting in an increase in populations of other species, loss of biodiversity, and imbalances in predator-prey relationships. Almost all animals have important functions in the control of pests, seed dispersal, and ecosystem health; therefore, their removal can harm these functions. Moreover, the displaced animals will later migrate to human settlements, thereby increasing conflicts and spreading diseases. Actions taken without sufficient knowledge could negatively impact sectors like ecotourism and possibly create legal or ethical consequences. In order to avoid such a outcome, it becomes vital to base wildlife management decisions on sound scientific research and ecosystem assessments. There is a big difference between media showrunners and environmentalists. We strongly condemn making statements in front of the media without scientific facts and findings. 🤷👎

Exploring new conservation approaches is essential, and market-based financing emerges as a promising option. Strategies like ecotourism, conservation banking, and other market-driven initiatives are increasingly recognized globally as effective incentives for wildlife conservation and habitat protection. Additionally, consumer financing for conservation efforts could involve providing price premiums or improved market access to producers dedicated to wildlife conservation. This shift is driven by conscious consumerism, with a focus on purchasing ethically produced goods that promote sustainable agriculture and biodiversity conservation on farms. The article attempted recommending a framework that support wild friendly agriculture products  Conservation# #sustainableagriculture# #Wildlifefriendlypractices# #regenerative agriculture #naturefinancing# Observer Research Foundation # WWF-India Regenerative Production Landscape Collaborative Centre for Responsible Business

💡 Let’s talk about solutions!    During the last cross visit in Poland, partners, experts and farmers were able to see the solutions already implemented on the farms visited. 🍃    In Konik polski-hodowla Polskiego Towarzystwa Ochrony Platkow/ Polish Society for the Protection of Birds  in Kalitnik, Michalowo, we were able to discover a very interesting solution related to the improvement of biodiversity at farm level (bird protection 🐦). This farm is a Public Society with no economical profit that gets funding from several organizations such as bird monitoring and ACP-Rural Development Plan 🌱 due to biodiversity conservation and Konik horses 🐴 preservation, while operates as an educational hub for visitors 🏫.    In this farm  of 1800 Ha of grasslands (wet meadow), where birds and animals always coexisted, the main activity is to protect birds by using and preserving Polish Konik horses 🏡🌳🚜:     ▪️ A high density of bird species nest in the grasslands every year from March to July such as Great snipes, Black-tailed godwit, Eurasian curlew, etc.  ▪️ Then, Konik horses gradually enter to the grasslands when the bird number starts to decrease with two main purposes: (1) to provide adequate conditions to grasslands (grass cutting, trampling, seeding) for the next nesting cycle, and (2) to drive away potential predators such as foxes and badgers.    ↗️ What are the benefits of this solution?  ▪️ A significant bird protection by facilitating the nesting and hatching periods while preserving Polish Konik horses  ▪️ Improvement of grasslands  ▪️ Increased overall biodiversity of the farm    ↘️ What are the disadvantages of this solution?  ▪️ Complex to conduct in private farms as extensive management is required. Also, it is time consuming in order to monitor the nesting  ▪️ Potential human-wildlife conflict in terms of visitors interaction with the semi-wild horses    Farmers, what type of strategies have you implemented in order to increase the biodiversity in your farm❓🌱🐓🦋    📷 © K. Sandlova / PrfJCU  📷 © N. Aldai / EHU Project funded by the European Commission 🇪🇺. #eunethorse #improvingresilienceofequinefarms #solutions Institut français du cheval et de l'équitation - IFCE l Acta les instituts techniques agricoles l Mont-le-Soie l Natural Resources Institute Finland / Luonnonvarakeskus l University of Helsinki l Justus Liebig University Giessen l Polish Horse Breeders Association l Institute of Human Genetics, Polish Academy of Sciences l FeedInov CoLab l Centro Tecnolóxico da Carne l UPV/EHU l Fundatia ADEPT Transilvania l Landwirtschaftskammer Niedersachsen l Agroscope I Chambre régionale d'Agriculture Grand Est  

Factory farming is a major source of emissions that is often overlooked in the climate debate. It also imposes pain and suffering on animals and causes unthinkable environmental damage - 80% of global deforestation and habitat loss is the result of intensive agriculture. 🐖🐄🐑 It was great to work with World Animal Protection on this important issue, including looking at how Indigenous Peoples are the frontline protectors of crucial habitats like the Amazon Rainforest, which is being cleared to make way for intensive farming. In the article below, Lisa Gunn, Executive Director of World Animal Protection Brazil, argues that, by putting Indigenous groups at the centre of their strategies, philanthropists can tackle factory farming, safeguard animal species, and protect the planet’s precious remaining biodiversity at the same time. #biodiversity #climatechange #Brazil #comms4good

Whenever you read or hear the term biodiversity, I bet your mind runs wild. I don't mean that you become nuts but I am saying that you think of wildlife, and nature. But, the diversity of life forms are not just restricted to the wild but there are diverse life forms associated to agriculture. In an article by Jago et al., 2024, it is termed 'Agrobiodiversity' which was defined as the variety of domesticated plants, animals and microorganisms used in food production and other agricultural practices. This aspect of biodiversity has often been overlooked because agriculture has for so long been painted as one of the major culprits to the rapid decline of wild biodiversity. Yet, this form of biodiversity is what you and I have had constant contact with especially when we interact with food, medicine, etc. With two billion small holder farmers that collectively produce what the billions of us consume on a daily basis, it shows both our level of interaction and dependence to agrobiodiversity. So, in the same article, Jago and the other authors described a framework that adapts wildlife conservation approaches to conserve these diverse life forms on which our lives depends on. This framework does not only ensure food security but it provides the link that closes the gap between scientists and farmers. Now with this approach, I believe that agriculture may migrate from the wildlife conservation's black list to its green list as agriculture will be done in a sustainable way while ensuring both the preservation of agrobiodiversity and wild biodiversity. ChiOmæ You can read the full article I referenced here: https://lnkd.in/ef5sA4NJ

Business Promotions, Showcase your business while showing your customers your company's impact toward supporting local Biodiversity. It's 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱 𝗕𝗲𝗲 𝗗𝗮𝘆 on Monday 20th May and Biodiversity week next week. Many events are happening nationwide in support of our Bees and wildlife. The theme this year is " 𝗕𝗲𝗲 𝗘𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗱 𝗪𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵 " This theme highlights the importance of involving young people in pollinator conservation efforts, recognizing them as the future stewards of our environment. 𝗪𝗲 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗱𝗲𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝘂𝗿𝘃𝗶𝘃𝗮𝗹 𝗼𝗳 𝗯𝗲𝗲𝘀 "Pollination is a fundamental process for the survival of our ecosystems. Nearly 90% of the world’s wild flowering plant species depend, entirely, or at least in part, on animal pollination, along with more than 75% of the world’s food crops and 35% of global agricultural land. Not only do pollinators contribute directly to food security, but they are key to conserving biodiversity" To raise awareness of the importance of pollinators, the threats they face and their contribution to sustainable development, the UN designated 20 May as World Bee Day. The goal is to strengthen measures to protect bees and other pollinators, which would significantly contribute to solving problems related to the global food supply and eliminate hunger in developing countries. Planting Native Irish Wildflower Seeds for Bees and other pollinators is a perfect way to SUPPORT Irish Bees and other vital pollinators. Happy planting and enjoy your Bee Day and Biodiversity Week planting event. Discover more at https://lnkd.in/eJQUVhA9 #WorldBeeDay #beeday #biodiversity #pollinatorgarden #biodiversity #bees #wildflowers #flowers #naturelovers #gardening #garden #urbandesign

Did you know that #Ribena blackcurrant farms are biodiversity havens for 15 declining red list bird species? Suntory Beverage & Food GB&I is leveraging #AI technology to reveal a remarkable story of biodiversity across a number of its blackcurrant farms this harvest season. The project – in partnership with the Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group (FWAG) South West – reveals the presence of a range of threatened bird species across hedgerows, woodland and grasslands. Analysing the birdsong across these blackcurrant farms, the project is helping to demonstrate how farm stewardship can go hand in hand with wildlife protection as part of SBF GB&I’s broader commitment to improving biodiversity and supporting its growers as they respond to climate change. https://lnkd.in/etwgQNCW #biodiversity #growingforgood #farming

Today, I was reminded of the beautiful work that we developed in Bolivian rural communities together with La Senda Verde Animal Refuge Inc. and Kristi Odom. We used native stingless bees as a vehicle to teach about environmental awareness, forest conservation, rewilding, and the importance of creating sustainable job opportunities in remote areas. I will share a bit more information about this group of bees, which are also present in Tropical Africa, Southern Asia, and Australia: "Stingless bees, or meliponines, are a group of insects native to tropical and subtropical regions that play an important role as pollinators of native flora. Before the arrival of colonizers, who introduced the common honeybee (Apis mellifera), stingless bees were the only bees that stored honey within colonies and were utilized by many indigenous cultures in Africa, South, and Central America, who used their honey, wax, propolis, and pollen. Meliponiculture is not only a productive activity but also an alternative to promote sustainability at the social, cultural, economic, and ecological levels. By encouraging the conservation of this group of bees that provide multiple services to humans and the ecosystem, such as pollinating native flora, pollinating commercial crops, and honey production. It is vital that both farmers, researchers, sociologists, indigenous peoples, and professionals in the fields of conservation, ecology, and related areas be trained in the new techniques and technologies of this field, which are becoming increasingly important economically, socially, and environmentally." https://lnkd.in/evfbR_PU

I have talked in the past about some of my sustainability heroes, the obvious ones like Greta Thunberg, and the less globally known ones like Dale Vince and Isabella Tree, but as of this weekend, I have a new hero to follow, Derek Gow. Derek and Isabella have some similarities in that they are both former farmers who are now major advocates of re-wilding and conservation. However, what is particularly refreshing about Derek's approach is his impatient "take no prisoners" attitude that will resonate with many of us who appreciate the urgency needed if we are to save nature from terminal decline. You see, Derek can see the answers to our horrific biodiversity loss in the UK and recognises that the re-introduction of a keystone predator, namely the wolf, is fundamental to successful re-wilding. He is hardly the first person to reveal this truth; plenty of studies have shown this to be the case and people I know such as biodiversity champion Deryck van Steenderen have long advocated this. What makes Derek unusual perhaps is that he was a sheep farmer for many years and it is probably the sheep farmers above all else who feel most vulnerable when the talk turns to re-introducing wolves. French shepherds are in uproar because 12,000 livestock (mostly sheep) are killed each year now that they have a resurgent wolf population....but by comparison 15,000 sheep were killed in the UK in 2016....by out-of-control dogs! The article about Gow appeared not long after I had read about the couple who own the Tarantsay island in the Hebrides who intend to re-wild the island with trees in an effort to return the landscape to how it most likely looked before sheep farming created the barren windswept grassland that it is now. Living in a rural community myself I know and sympathise with local livestock farmers for whom life isn't easy, but we are going to need more Derek Gows if we are going to confront the fact that Britain's landscape is not natural and that we are inextricably linked to the natural world that is suffering so badly at the hands of modern agriculture. As someone who is conflict-averse, I am deeply grateful for people like Derek Gow who are prepared to be confrontational and go into bat on behalf of nature and humanity. Have you discovered any new sustainability heroes lately? https://bit.ly/3wSaJpy #biodiversityconservation #rewilding #naturepositive