About the Trust

The Shared Earth Trust was set up in 1987 in direct response to the catastrophic decline in wildlife habitat and biodiversity in the farmed countryside. Like many others, Denmark Farm had been progressively intensified and its rye grass fields and bare hedges were typical of vast areas of grazing land.

Sheep grazing a short-sward pasture of ryegrass

1987: “a very barren place ... very low in wildlife interest” Dr Stephanie Tyler RSPB

Species-rich pasture with field scrape (shallow pond) and bordered by shelterbelt of trees

1997: the Countryside Council for Wales judges Denmark Farm to be a “notable nature reserve”

The Trust's aim was to see whether this process of degradation could be reversed without major interventions or capital expense and to monitor the speed and extent of the return of wildlife. Reinstating more traditional grazing regimes, haymaking, reversing drainage, stopping most fertiliser inputs and fencing off overgrazed hedgerows, streams and ditches were all used to help 'kickstart' natural processes.

The results have been astonishing:-

in 1985 only 15 species of bird nested on the farm, but now each year an average of 46 species breed, totalling over 200 pairs on just 40 acres;
fields formerly dominated by rye grass are now rich in traditional flowers, grasses and sedges, with the most diverse meadow containing well over 100 plant species;
the lake, pond and field scrapes now support 14 species of breeding dragonfly and damselfly – a notable diversity in west Wales;
large populations of small mammals, butterflies and ground invertebrates have returned to the meadows and pastures.

This and other data from Denmark Farm show clearly that it is possible to reverse the process of ecological impoverishment and the destruction of biodiversity, and that this can be achieved in only a relatively short time.

The most significant thing of all is that this has been achieved without introductions (apart from trees and shrubs planted to form shelterbelts and woodland) and without prescriptive management that favours any one species over another. This is perhaps the Trust's most vital contribution to conservation in the wider countryside. It embraces the role of Nature in allowing each habitat to establish its own constituents and complexity, and its own web of life in its own timescale.

Natural Links offers activities such as willow weaving, practical conservation and art work

Natural Links

Building on its conservation success story, the Trust is now developing its work with community groups in West Wales. We are offering the wonderful Denmark Farm reserve and Centre to the widest possible range of people for a new programme of activities and events called Natural Links.

Our aims are to reconnect people of all ages and abilities with the natural world, and to help foster community learning and the sharing of practical skills in ways that will benefit the environment.

The emphasis is on fun, participative activities that bring people together and promote care of natural resources. We particularly want to include those who are disadvantaged or who have special needs and would very much like to hear from any community organisations to explore ideas for working together.

You can support us in our next steps to restore biodiversity to the British countryside. See Membership/Donations.

Other achievements

Denmark Farm has now become a nationally significant demonstration site and a template for any land that can be taken out of intensive management.
Our highly respected research and monitoring programmes influence both land use policy and conservation practice.
Our training and dissemination reaches people who are directly responsible for, or advise upon, the management of huge areas of the British countryside.
We offer an innovative approach to environmental education for all ages and abilities.
Visiting groups and organisations use Denmark Farm and the Conservation Centre as a resource for study, training, events, recreation and spiritual development.
The Trust provides a forum for exploring ethical and spiritual issues in conservation.

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This document has been taken from the Shared Earth Trust Web site at http://www.shared-earth-trust.org.uk . The Trust can be contacted on 01570 493358.