THE forthcoming Single Farm Payment Scheme, cross-compliance measures and the new Entry Level Scheme make it more important than ever to ensure habitats are managed with conservation in mind.

Tyne Tees and Northumberland Farming and Wildlife Advisory Groups have begun holding a variety of half-day farm walks which show practical conservation management of habitats with the new schemes in mind.

The walks show examples of habitat management, with experts giving practical tips on how best to achieve the required management levels, and why they are managed in such a way.

The walks are open to farmers, conservationists and anyone else interested in the countryside. They include: March 15, grassland and lowland heath, Whinney Hill, Long Horsley; March 16, horses and conservation, Thrushwood Farm, Redcar; March 23, farmland birds, Saltholme, Billingham; March 30, grassland management, Thrislington.

For more information, contact Tyne Tees FWAG on 01833 696 634 or Northumberland FWAG on 01668 283848