Shropshire Local Grazing Scheme

The Shropshire Local Grazing Scheme (SLGS): a free service for farmers and landowners
SLGS is run by Natural England in partnership with Shropshire Council and Shropshire Wildlife Trust. Its aim is to promote the use of traditional grazing animals as a tool in the good management of areas of conservation interest within the county (this process is usually described as ‘conservation grazing’).

Priorities for the grazing scheme would include any site designated a Site if Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), and other sites with wet grassland as a habitat for ground nesting birds or good quality species rich grassland.

For further information take a look at the 'Conservation Grazing Leaflet attached to this page.

If you would like any assistance in finding either grazing land or a grazier for your land please print off and complete the attached 'New SLGS Questionnaire'. Alternatively, if you would like a digital version please contact Wayne on 01743 282004 or email wayne.davies@naturalengland.org.uk

Why Graze?:

• open spaces, meadow, pasture, heath and marsh, support a wide range of mammals, insects, birds and plants (especially wild flowers).
• livestock grazing helps keep these open spaces open, preventing the spread of scrub and woodland
• if this work wasn’t carried out by livestock then machinery and chemical spraying would become essential

The scheme:

• is a completely free service and makes no charge for any services offered.
• has created a register of sites in need of grazing, and of animals (cattle, sheep and ponies) available to graze those sites, and will seek to match the two at no cost to participants
• will offer practical help and advice on all grazing topics including animal movement paperwork
• will involve the local communities in stewarding livestock
• will create and host a ‘grazing forum’ to promote knowledge and awareness of the importance of conservation grazing

What this means to the public:
You may start to see animals grazing where they have been absent for many years
You may see new fencing works being undertaken.

How can I get involved?:
If you have land with conservation interest that is in need of grazing or if you have traditional livestock that you would be prepared to graze on conservation sites please contact Wayne Davies.

The scheme has identified 3 key areas: Oswestry Uplands, Ellesmere Meres and Mosses and the Shropshire Hills, and is keen to hear from community groups in those areas who would like to become involved in groundwork and/or livestock monitoring.

Everyone can be involved by keeping dogs under control and ensuring that they shut all gates to areas where livestock may be present.

The development of conservation grazing and local grazing schemes is promoted by 'The Grazing Animals Project'. Click on the link to visit their website.

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