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A cluster of twenty three olive growers meets for the first time to discuss biodiversity sensitive farming benefits for groves in Calci... Together with Cluster Faciliatir Virginia Bagnoni, SSSA has set up the farmer cluster of about 15 local olive growers. On the 6th of May the first Farmer Cluster Meeting took place with all potentially interested olive-growers. The meeting was organised at the B&B of Mrs Ruschi (see picture). The entire SSSA team was present and 23 olive grovers participated . Some were from adjacent areas but they are very interested in the initiative. For this reason we have set up a ‘two-level’ farmer cluster. The core group consists of olive growers with at least one grove in the study area. They will actively take part in the biodiversity-friendly landscape management activities. The others will take place in all meetings open to the wider public. Following this meeting, it was also decided to set up a control area, in Vicopisano, about 6 km away from Calci. We will perform all observation also in this area, but here, no active participatory land management will take place. If this project is a success, the group of farmers in this area, will constitute a new farmers cluster, or get connected to the Calci farmer cluster.

Mayor of Aguilar de la Frontera introduces Framework to the community... On November 20th 2020, Framework project was presented in Aguilar de la Frontera town hall. In the presentation took part Carmen Flores (Aguilar mayor); Gonzalo Varas (facilitator FA); Francisco Javier Cano (FAC delegate), Cristóbal Reina (FC chair and Aguilar Hunting Association president) and Manuel Olmo (Agriculture and Environment councillor). The presentation was recorded by local television and later was broadcast for all neighbours and issued on the YouTube channel Biodiversity sensitive agriculture. Framework project presentation. From left to right – José María Navas (farmer), Manuel Olmo (councillor), Gonzalo Varas (facilitator), Carmen Flores (mayor), Cristóbal Reina (FC), Francisco Javier Cano (FAC) and Miguel Pérez(farmer).

A series of events took place recently in Aguilar de la Frontera, showcasing the community's involvement in the Framework project. These gatherings served as a platform to evaluate progress, plan future activities, and recognise participants' contributions. From meetings with key stakeholders to a memorable annual event with hunters, Framework's Spanish Farmer Cluster continues to demonstrate its commitment to local collaboration and achieving project impacts in their region. The main aims of the Aguilar Cluster are to mitigate ecosystem degradation and improve environmental resilience within olive groves. They're focusing on boosting plant life in the groves to combat issues including desertification and species loss. Evaluating Cover Crops and Planning for a Project Visit On 16 January 2023, a crucial meeting was held at the Aguilar de la Frontera hunting ground, bringing together members of the FAC (Federation of Hunters of Córdoba) with Luis Fernando Villanueva (CEO of the Artemisan Foundation ), and Andrés Santos, a ranger of the Aguilar hunting society. The aim of the meeting was to evaluate the implementation of cover crops in the experimental areas and organise the upcoming visit of Framework Work Package Two participants in May. Annual Meeting of the Aguilar Hunting Society Hunters in the region are often connected to farmland, or are farmers themselves, meaning they're well placed to open up discussions within the rural economy about farmland biodiversity and environmental sustainability. Taking place on 28 January, the annual meeting of the Aguilar hunting society became a remarkable event for the project. 260 people attended, with the gathering providing an opportunity for Framework Farmer Cluster Facilitator Gonzalo Varas to present a summary of the Aguilar Cluster's accomplishments over the past two years. This included updating attendees on hunting society participants' importance to successes so far. The event showcased and galvanised community enthusiasm towards Framework. It was fantastic to see attendees coming together to engage with the project after the challenges posed by the Covid pandemic. Facilitator Gonzalo Varas was in turn thanked for his hard work getting the project off the ground in Andalusia. Aguilar Farmer Cluster Meeting On 22 February, the Spanish Farmer Cluster received another update from Facilitator Gonzalo Varas on the achievements and activities carried out so far. This meeting served as an opportunity for farmers to receive certificates acknowledging their participation and for the formal signing of collaboration contracts. The gathering further solidified the bonds between the community and the project, fostering a spirit of partnership and shared goals. These events highlight the power of local involvement and collective efforts in driving positive change and building a sense of community engagement and pride. Aguilar de la Frontera's Farmer Cluster is developing to be a great example of how collaboration and active engagement can propel a project forward, making a lasting impact at both local and European levels. Project Work Package Two participants from across Europe and the UK are excited to visit the Cluster in May for knowledge exchange and to see the work that has been done up close. The Spanish Cluster remains important within Framework as it tackles cultural barriers to improving the environmental and economic sustainability of Southern Spain's olive groves. These agro-ecosystems face uniquely acute threats from desertification, erosion and drought.

The Luxembourg Cluster install nocturnal cameras for biodiversity monitoring... As part of their quest to better understand the biodiversity within the Luxembourg Farmer Cluster, the cluster recently installed night-time camera traps. Previously, biodiversity assessments in the cluster primarily focused on diurnal animals, leaving the realm of nocturnal biodiversity largely unrecorded. Recognising this gap, facilitator Youri Martin suggested the use of camera traps, which have proved to be illuminating. The procedure of installing and securing the camera traps was demonstrated to farmers in the cluster keen on participating and six enthusiastic volunteers took the responsibility of installing the traps on their properties. The results have been fantastic with the very first set recorded capturing excellent images of nocturnal wildlife in their natural habitat. Buoyed by this success, it was unanimously decided to continue the nocturnal monitoring. Between November 2022 and January 2023, over 5,230 pictures were captured, showcasing thriving nocturnal biodiversity. From January to June 2023, 8,000 pictures were collected, featuring a diverse array of rare and elusive species. Locations are selected strategically in areas where wildlife observation looks most promising due to the habitats present. Cluster farmers maintain the cameras, replacing batteries and memory cards. The images are then downloaded and sorted before they're encoded into a citizen science database. This activity contributes to the data pipeline of Work Package 3 on Citizen Science, fostering collaborative research efforts. To take the inititiave to the next level, Framework cluster farmers will be actively involved in sorting and identifying the animal pictures. Consortium partner IIASA's Picture Pile Platform will aid them in this process, enabling them to witness the high diversity of species that coexist within their orchards. This hands-on approach not only fosters an appreciation for nocturnal biodiversity but also includes farmers in conservation efforts and connects them to the life on their land.

2022 was a very successful year for the monitoring of insects and pollinators all across our European Farmer Clusters. Our farmers and scientists were out in force to monitor different species and record their results, with over 550 pan-traps collected from our Austrian cluster in just 4 months. This blog records some more of the amazing achievements of our farmers and scientists this year in their insect and pollinator monitoring. Beginning with our Austrian cluster, this was a bumper year with Raja Imran Hussain conducting pollinator surveys in May, June and July. After careful selection of BHC, BOKU started their pollinator sampling in May 2022. During a steady and constant pace walk, they counted all butterflies and bumblebee individuals within the virtual detection box. For bumblebees´ sampling, they took a 2 m distance on either side and 4 m distance ahead and above, while for butterflies 2.5 m distance on either side, and 5 m distance ahead and above. They did sampling between 10 am and 5 pm during optimal weather conditions (i.e. sunshine, no rain, temperature between 15-30 o C). If on-spot identification of the butterfly was not possible, then the butterfly was captured via sweep net and viewed in the glass box. Bumblebees were collected and identification was done under the microscope if difficult to identify in the transect. Pan-traps were positioned at fixed locations in each square. They placed three pan traps per farm square in such a way that the insect samples we collected are the representative of the habitats present within the farm square. Since they had large diverse clusters a total of 48 pan traps were placed having 3 pan traps per farm square. The pan traps were placed for 24 hours in the optimal weather condition. The insect samples were taken and stored in 70 % ethanol for later identification. They sampled syrphids, heteropteran bugs and grasshoppers in abandoned, intensive and extensive meadows in May-July 2022 and continued it till August 2022. In total, 576 (3 pan traps stations, 3 pan trap per station x 16 BHC x 4 months) pan traps were collected. Samples were filtered, marked and stored in ethyl alcohol for future identification. The following image represents a poster presented on 3rd Farmer Cluster workshop showing the preliminary results of pollinators monitoring in control and cluster farms of BOKU FC for the year 2022. In Luxembourg, the biodiversity monitoring activities (including pollinators transects and pan trapping) began on May 1st. All the pan trapping activities and the pollinators transects surveys were done according to the Framework protocol because the weather conditions were suitable for insects in 2022. Biodiversity monitoring with camera traps started in September 2022. The farmers were invited to host 2 camera traps in their orchards. They oversee the maintenance of the traps with the collection of the pictures taken. The farmers are now actively involved in the collection of data with an easy and non-time-consuming protocol. LIST hope this action will get their attention on the biodiversity that is not always expected in their orchards. The first results of this action are foreseen in January 2023 and if the farmers are involved and ready to continue this action, it is planned to buy new camera traps to be installed in the orchards for the entire year of 2023. Finally, in Spain, the pollinator surveys were carried out by FA in May, June and July 2022. The butterfly-bumblebee transects, and pan traps were completed following the pollinators pan-trap and transect protocol. The insect transects were conducted at the same place as those used for the birds monitoring, though in the former each transect is divided in segments of 50 meters (10 segments by transect). The monitoring was conducted on: May 18, 19 and 20, 2022 (experimental area) and 23 and 24, 2022 (control area) for the first round; June 15 and 20, 2022 (experimental) and 21, 23 and 24, 2022 (control) for the first round; July 7 and 12, 2022 (experimental) and 12 and 14, 2022 (control) for the first round. A total of 40 pan-traps were installed, being active for 24 hours, three times. The samples gathered were sent to the University of Córdoba (UCO), where a professional entomologist (Rafael Alcalá Herrera), professor and researcher conducted analysis.

2022 was another busy year for bird monitoring in the Framework project. Our famers and scientists were working hard to survey countless transects and present their findings in meetings across our European famer clusters. In this blog you will find a collection of just some of the bird monitoring activity which our project partners undertook this year. In our French cluster, INRAE worked hard not only in monitoring, but also to enhance farmer interest for agrobiodiversity and its monitoring. INRAE co-organized with the GRAB partner and GRCETA advisers a practical session to observe and recognize occupancies of nest boxes and bat houses at orchard margins (13/09/2022) and an online reporting session about nest occupancies (30/11/2022). The two training sessions were tutored by Brice Lemaire from Agrinichoir – find out more at these links: >>>>> http://agrinichoirs.fr >>>>> https://youtu.be/8wIDf8qSql0 To conduct the monitoring itself, at least one apple orchard per farm was chosen by each farmer to conduct agrobiodiversity monitoring. Then, one 500m-transect crossing this selected orchard by farmer was defined for the monitoring of the bird, butterfly and bumblebee biodiversity pan-trap sampling for scientific evaluation. A total of sixteen 500m-transects were selected for the scientific monitoring in 2022. Three additional transects were defined in January for the 2022 campaign in order to support evaluation of biodiversity changes with the instalment of boxes for birds and bats. Brice Lemaire (Agrinichoir) monitored the occupancy by the great tit of 300 nest boxes and by bats of 300 house boxes (26-30/09/2022) and cleaned the nest boxes. The table below shows details of some of these monitoring periods, with the bird monitoring highlighted. In this second year of monitoring in our Spanish cluster, FA carried out bird monitoring in April and June 2022 using the bird protocol prepared by GWCT (WP5). Based on the instructions, the areas were divided into 1 km2 zones and transects were planned on the project plots (Experimental and Control), covering a route of 1 km. With the incorporation of the “Colín” plots to the project in 2022, a new transect (D1) was included in the experimental area. For the field work, the mobile application “Mapit Spatial” was used again. The monitoring was conducted on: April 19th and 21th 2022 (experimental) and 29th 2022 (control) for the first round; and, June 1st 2022 (experimental) and June 3rd (control) for the second round. Finally, in Austria BOKU conducted further monitoring and were also able to present their results at a farmer cluster meeting. Prior to the start of the monitoring survey, bird transects (n=16) and BHC transects (n=96) for pollinator and vegetation monitoring were determined through various communications between BOKU Team and farm owners (meetings, emails, and phone calls). The location of transects in each farm was determined based on existing habitat maps and crops grown in 2022. Upon request of the farmers, BOKU prepared supplementary contracts concerning the location of BHCs, bird transects and vegetations & pollinator monitoring transects for each farm which were signed by BOKU officials and the farmers. The bird monitoring was performed by Johannes Hohenegger in May and June and below is a poster presented at the 3rd FC workshop showing the preliminary results of birds monitoring in control and cluster farms of BOKU FC for the year 2022.

In 2022 our project partners were really able to kick on with the vegetation monitoring across the farmer clusters. More extensive monitoring was possible this year on meadows and farms across Europe, with developments also being made in the use of technology such as the iNaturalist app and Edaphologs for soil sampling. Take a look at some of the monitoring and technological advancements that took place in 2022 in this blog. Beginning in Austria, during the end of May and the beginning of June the first vegetation monitoring session was conducted on every farm, led by AREC. For that purpose, a monitoring plot of 20 X 2, 5 m was used. Left: Daniela Ablinger (AREC) during vegetation monitoring with Melanargia galathea. Right: Vegetation Monitoring plot with 20 m in length. The second vegetation monitoring session was conducted on each of the 12 Cluster farms and the 4 Reference farms from the end of July to the end of August. For that purpose, a GPS device, and the monitoring plot of 20 X 2, 5m were used. The Farmer of the Mostviertel Cluster are very interested in the monitoring work that is conducted on their meadows. Therefore, in several cases the farmers accompanied AREC while doing the monitoring to discuss common agricultural topics and questions, as shown below. The difficulty was to reach the meadows when they were not currently mown or pastured. Every farm has its own management style, when it comes to greenfodder, silage and hay production and for that reason every meadow on every farm reaches a different harvest time. As for BOKU’s work, the first vegetation survey was carried out by Aliyeh Salehi between 12th -17th May 2022 (see photo below). After BHCs and pollinator transects were selected, vegetation plots (2.5 x 20 m) were co-located with each of the bee and butterfly transects at fixed locations within the survey squares. The start and end points of each 20m section were delimited by fixed landmarks (e.g., individual trees, hedges, and fences). The geographic coordinates of the start and end point of all 20m sections were recorded. Once the vegetation plots were determined, vegetation surveys were conducted by walking along the plots. The second vegetation survey was carried out between 8th -10th August 2022. Similar to the vegetation survey in May, after BHCs and pollinator transects were selected, vegetation plots (2.5 x 20 m) were co-located with each of the bee and butterfly transects at fixed locations within the survey squares. The start and end points of each 20m section were delimited by fixed landmarks (e.g., individual trees, hedges, and fences). Once the vegetation plots were determined, vegetation surveys were conducted by walking along the plots. Returning to new technology, this year EMU has been testing the edaphology system using soil from cluster fields with different management. As part of this, the Czech FC was invited by the James Hutton Institute to collaborate on the testing of the Edapholog soil sensor system from Syngenta developed to monitor soil mesofauna. The Farmer Cluster is interested in participating in this additional monitoring. The Edaphologs were installed in 2022 but not yet used. The first use is planned for spring testing 2023. Finally, in the French cluster, at least one apple orchard per farm has been chosen by each farmer to conduct agrobiodiversity monitoring. A total of sixteen 500m-transects have been selected for the scientific monitoring in 2022. Table 2 describes the monitoring conducted in both the apple orchards and the scientific transects. Three additional transects were defined in January for the 2022 campaign in order to support evaluation of biodiversity changes with the instalment of boxes for birds and bats. Focussing on the vegetation aspect of this monitoring, one volunteer hired by CA13 conducted biodiversity monitoring in apple orchards half from three different farmers involved in the farmer cluster (OAB protocol from April to August). Further, three farmers from the cluster had sowed a mixture of mustard, lotus and dandelion to flower next spring at the apple flower bloom in November. We are delighted that these flowered meadows will constitute part of the exciting experiments Estelle Bridoux will conduct during her PhD thesis in the farmer cluster (2022-2024).

Insights from the Framework Project Annual Meeting 2023... The Framework Project Annual Meeting 2023, hosted by The Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust , brought together farmers, naturalists, scientists, and facilitators to explore innovative approaches to farmland biodiversity conservation. The event, held from 14th to 16th March, witnessed enthusiastic participation from various individuals and organisations working towards sustainable farming practices and habitat connectivity. Here's some highlights from a meeting that shed light on the power of Farmer Clusters to shape the future of agriculture and ecological conservation. And provided an opportunity for useful field visits and sessions across the project's Work Packages. The Vision of Farmer Clusters One of the key topics discussed during the meeting was the concept of Farmer Clusters. It was great for attendees to visit the Martin Down Cluster to see how the concept developed in the UK before the Framework project was funded to expand the network into Europe. Professor Andrew Hoodless from GWCT emphasised how their organisation collaborates with landowners and farmers to find practical solutions to environmental challenges. Niamh McHugh, Head of Farmland Ecology at GWCT, shared insights into the Martin Down Farmer Cluster , which has grown to increase habitat connectivity through cooperation and collaboration among farmers. The Farmer Clusters' core idea is to enable farmers to prioritise their own goals, with facilitators providing advice and support to help them achieve sustainable outcomes. Building Strong Relationships A critical aspect highlighted by attendees was the importance of building strong relationships between farmers and facilitators. Peter Thompson, who played a crucial role in establishing the Martin Down Farmer Cluster, shared his experience of explaining to farmers how their lands were interconnected at a landscape-scale. The collaboration between farmers in these clusters has resulted in less isolated farmland, with greater emphasis on landscape-scale management. Farming with a Purpose AGM23 attendees received a Farm Tour from Jimi Collis of Launceston Farm , a member of Framework's Cranborne Chase Farmer Cluster . The tour exemplified the benefits of embracing a practical approach. Jimi described making decisions based on whether they make life easier for farmers while also considering ethical implications around sustainability and environmental health. Clare Buckerfield, a Farmer Cluster Facilitator at FWAG , lauded Collis' innovative spirit and adaptability, leading to the integration of ecological considerations into his farming practices. Jimi also discussed the importance Farmers doing their own online learning and research, sharing British and European sector-leaders who he has learnt from on social media. Framework's Platform for Community Engagement A visiting delegation of farmers from Framework's Czech Republic Farmer Cluster , led by Facilitator Jan Trávnicek, expressed their interest in transferring knowledge from the UK Cluster visit back home. Researcher Iris Bohnet from consortium partner The Czech University of Life Sciences spoke about how the Framework Project has provided an essential platform for community engagement. The meeting served as an opportunity to share experiences and learn from the diverse perspectives of fellow participants, enabling attendees to take valuable insights back to their respective regions. Work Package Updates Fanny Tran, the Project Manager, expressed her satisfaction with opportunities for exchanges and presentations by attendees during the event. Project Coordinator Dr Graham Begg, from The James Hutton Institute, also highlighted the importance of sharing information from across the Framework's work packages. This exchange of updates and results allowed for valuable insights and contributions to shape discussions of project progress and development. There were useful updates on the development of the Data hub and Info Hubs by CREAF and IIASA. The data hub will allow the project's biodiversity research to inform stakeholder decision making. Recodo, the Info Hub, will provide farmers with more information on their land and build a feedback loop promoting innovation based on shared relationships and achievements. Phds Moritz Fritschle and Thomas Rellensmann of Osnabrück University gave interesting sessions about ongoing social science investigating the economics of how farmers value agrobiodiversity. The Farmer Cluster approach emerged as a pivotal aspect of the project's legacy. At an evening address to attendees, Professor Andrew Hoodless from GWCT pointed out that technology has made accessing data easier for farmers, allowing them to research evidence-based farm management techniques. Professor Emeritus Nick Southerton, GWCT, praised the project's success and the ongoing devlopment of the Farmer Cluster approach beyond the UK. Looking To The Future Overall, The Framework Project Annual Meeting 2023 showcased the potential of Farmer Clusters in driving positive change in agriculture and biodiversity conservation. The event fostered meaningful connections, emphasised the power of practical solutions, and underscored the importance of community engagement. As Farmer Clusters continue to grow, they hold the promise of transforming farming practices, contributing to sustainable agriculture and the preservation of biodiversity for future generations. The meeting left participants inspired and motivated to continue their efforts in researching and enacting valuing agrobiodiversity. As the meeting concluded, it was evident that the project has created a strong network of like-minded individuals determined to make a positive impact on the sustainability of agrarian landscapes. With their collaborative efforts, these farmers, researchers, and facilitators are part of a new era of agriculture that emphasises harmony between ecology and farming practices. As the Framework Project enters its second half, the participants are eager to continue their contributions towards building a food system fit for the future.

Engaging Spanish political representatives to showcase Framework's positive measures and raise awareness about environmental challenges. In Spain, the responsibility for agricultural and environmental affairs is delegated from the national to the regional government. Recognising the importance of involving policymakers and representatives, the Federation of Hunters of Córdoba (FAC) has taken a proactive approach by inviting political parties to learn about the Framework Project. These visits aim to showcase the measures being implemented for environmental benefits and raise awareness among politicians regarding the serious environmental challenges faced in olive groves. The visits are part of the project's overall landscape-scale effort to examine sustainable farming solutions across Europe and the UK. National-Conservatives (VOX) On 21 March, the Aguilar Farmer Cluster warmly welcomed representatives from the VOX party. They included Manuel Gavira Florentino , speaker of VOX, Purificación Fernández Morales , responsible for environmental affairs within VOX, and representative Alejandro Hernández Valdés . The visit provided an opportunity to present the progress made by the Framework Project and discuss the measures being applied within the Farmer Cluster. Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE) A second important visit occurred on the 28th March when members of the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE) toured the Aguilar Farmer Cluster. Ana María Romero Obrero , secretary of Farming and Fisheries Affairs at the national level, attended along with local representatives. This visit allowed PSOE representatives to gain insights into the Framework Project and its impact on the region's agricultural and environmental sectors. Christian Democratic People's Party (PP) The Farmer Cluster also had the privilege of hosting members of the People's Party (PP), which currently governs Andalucía. The visit included Erik Domínguez Guerola , parliamentary speaker on agricultural affairs, local representatives and Araceli Cabello , parliamentary speaker on environmental affairs. It was a welcome opportunity to showcase the achievements and initiatives of the Framework Project. The event also established a dialogue with the governing party to explore avenues of collaboration and discuss the region's agricultural and environmental challenges. These visits exemplify the importance of bridging political divides for the sake of sustainable development in rural economies. By inviting representatives from VOX, PSOE, and PP, the FAC demonstrated its commitment to engaging politicians from across the spectrum in collective efforts to address agri-environmental issues. The events also provided a platform for open discussions, knowledge sharing, and potential further collaborations. The engagement of political representatives with Framework Spain signifies a step forward in creating a more inclusive and collaborative approach to finding effective solutions for the benefit of Spain's agricultural and environment sector. A further visit from key political stakeholders, including a press conference with mayors, ministers and NGO leaders, is being planned to take place during Work Package Two's trip to the Cluster in May. This will expand the dialogue beyond a regional and national level to a continent-wide conversation. The topics will include knowledge exchange on Farmer Clusters, ecosystem monitoring tools, delivering sustainable productivity and responding to environmental threats.

A Wild Bee Workshop at Seehof Farm Festival celebrates functional farmland biodiversity. On March 25th and 26th, 2023, the picturesque Seehof farm in Burgenland, Austria, played host to an enlightening event as part of the farm festival "Hoftage am Seehof" (Open-Farm Day at Seehof). In the context of the project's Work Package 3 (Citizen Science Monitoring with Farmers), BOKU conducted a captivating "Wild Bee Workshop". The workshop aimed to raise awareness among farmers and the public about the significance and value of biodiversity, with a specific focus on pollinators and wild bees. An Interactive Learning Experience The workshop, situated in a specially designed tent, offered an engaging and interactive learning experience. Photos, short statements, illustrative material, exhibitions, and expert knowledge conveyed the importance of wild bees. The information walls had different themes, including bee entomology (studying insects), promoting wild bees in farms and gardens, and fostering their presence in and around fields. Exploring the World of Wild Bees To provide a more immersive experience, a tabletop display showcasing wild bee breeding habitats was created. Microscopes and microscope loupes were made available, allowing participants to observe fascinating details of wild bees and flowers up close. Expert facilitators were present to answer questions and engage with interested individuals, couples, families, and groups of all ages. An Open-Farm Day for All The Seehof farm festival attracted an estimated 1,500 visitors each day from diverse backgrounds including farmers, scientists, families and community leaders. The workshop offered an inclusive platform for people to learn about the vital role that wild bees play in our ecosystems and the importance of maintaining agrobiodiversity. Promoting Biodiversity Conservation By hosting the Wild Bee Workshop, the Seehof farm festival helped Framework Austria raise awareness about farmland biodiversity conservation in the region. Participants left with a deeper understanding of the essential role wild bees play in agricultural pollination and the overall health of our environment. The interactive elements engaged visitors on multiple levels, encouraging them to consider how they can support wild bees in their own farms and gardens. The Wild Bee Workshop held at the Seehof farm festival was a resounding success, representing another great instance of Framework public engagement. Events like this support our aim to collectively work towards more sustainable and ecologically conscious societies. Societies where we all value the ecosystem services underpinning the rural economies that feed us and enrich our lives.

Partner BOKU publish on abandoned land and insect diversity... One of the highlights of recent months was the publication of a paper by researchers from FRAMEwork partner BOKU (University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna)  in the journal Land . Titled " Is the abandonment of organic grassland a threat to alpine insect diversity? ", the paper provides valuable insights into the intricate relationship between land management practices and biodiversity conservation, shedding light on a pressing environmental concern and bringing Framework insights to an international audience. The paper explores the impact of different grassland management styles —abandoned, intensive, and extensively managed organic alpine grasslands — on true bugs and syrphids (a type of fly) in 2021 and 2022. By comparing the insect populations across these environments, researchers found that extensively managed grasslands housed more true bugs and syrphids than abandoned ones. However, the variety of species was similar across all grassland types. Interestingly, abandoned grasslands were unique for harboring certain species not found elsewhere, indicating that leaving land unused doesn't harm insect diversity and actually supports the presence of unique insect species. The study suggests that a mix of abandoned and extensively managed grasslands could best support the conservation of alpine biodiversity, highlighting the value of diverse land management approaches for ecological health. "Land" is an international, scholarly, open access journal of land use and land management published quarterly online by MDPIan international. The interdisciplinary open access journal covers a wide array of topics related to land, including land system science, land management, landscapes, urban planning, and the impact of land use on climate and biodiversity. It publishes a variety of content types from detailed research papers to reviews and short communications, emphasising the importance of comprehensive experimental details and data documentation. The journal encourages submissions that go beyond narrow case studies to include broader implications and comparisons, as well as manuscripts that offer new research perspectives, tools for research-to-practice translation, and analyses of failures to foster learning. It aims to serve a global audience by addressing issues relevant to land management, sustainability, and various land-related challenges, contributing to the achievement of UN Sustainability Goals and supporting innovations in land observation and management practices.

A biodiversity trail though Framework's Czech Farmer Cluster has now been approved! In December 2023, we reported on a meeting showcasing community efforts to establish a biodiversity path in the project's Czech Republic Farmer Cluster. The primary focus of the Farmer Cluster meeting was the planning and development of the biodiversity path. Envisaged as a social capital-building project, the path would connect Velke Hosteradky, Bosovice, and several Farmer Cluster farms. This connection would serve as a showcase for local farmers and their sustainable practices, highlighting products like wine, jams, cereals, and wildlife habitats. We're happy to share that, after successfully applying for regional funding, the New Biodiversity Pathway within the Velke Hosteradky Farmer Cluster has been approved. The pathway will be finished by the end of 2023 and will open for the public in the Spring of 2024. The new path aims to illustrate the relationship between farming and the landscape to the wide public, such as families with children, those interested in organic food production, or people interested in biodiversity. Visitors will learn about organic farming and some of its superstructures in which local farmers participate. Emphasis will also be placed on specific measures in the landscape, the effect of which visitors will observe. These measures include, for example, flower strips to support pollinators, installed bird boxes, etc. Another focus of the biodiversity path is to show functions of the landscape management, such as erosion protection, water retention and others.