Context

The Shetland Islands are home to high numbers of breeding farmland waders, including nationally important populations of red-listed lapwing and curlew. The characteristic landscape mosaic of wetland and heather moorland adjacent to agriculturally improved grasslands, supported by extensive, small-scale agricultural systems, provides quality habitats for relatively high densities of waders. The maintenance of these habitats relies on the continuation of active and positive land management.
The project is seeking to initiate a shift in farmers’ perspective towards biodiversity and turn environmental outcomes into key products with a clear economic value, which delivery depends on farmers’ skills and knowledge. It will build on the success of locally-led, results-based schemes in other countries, and on current discussions with a local group of farmers and crofters on the potential for the approach to be adopted in Shetland.