British Ecological Symposium explores project topics... Members of FRAMEwork recently attended the British Ecological Society's 2025 symposium "Nature, Farming and Food: How we value our land," held on June 19-20 in Oxford. This two-day event, organized in partnership with TABLE, the Leverhulme Centre for Nature Recovery and the Agile Initiative, aimed to explore the environmental impacts of food production by bringing together scientists, farmers, policymakers and the public to find solutions. © BES 2025 The symposium program was structured around four core themes, valuing farming, biodiversity, food and knowledge. Key questions addressed included: "What does a just transition to ecologically-friendly farming look like?" and "Does sustainable food production at home mean biodiversity loss elsewhere?" The event featured both keynotes from invited speakers as well as talks and posters from attendees from around the world. Notable keynote speakers included Tony Juniper CBE, Chair of Natural England and a prominent environmental figure with four decades of experience including roles at Friends of the Earth, WWF-UK, and as advisor to HRH The Prince of Wales. Kath Dalmeny, Chief Executive of Sustain, an alliance for better food and farming, also spoke, bringing insights from her work on initiatives like Good Food for London and Beyond the Food Bank reports. Representatives from The Food Foundation and other organisations contributed to the cross-sector dialogue, with presentations from attending researchers including the project's Trinity Ndlovu (James Hutton Institute). Work Package Two 'Advanced Farmer Cluster Network' Lead Dr Niamh McHugh also attended (Game and Wildlife Trust). Both report that it was a great opportunity to network and explore project topics. FRAMEwork has been actively researching and piloting initiatives around these issues for almost five years. So If you would like to dive into our activity and perspectives on valuing biodiversity and ecosystem services in agriculture, we warmly invite you to explore our hub , project publications and media . Overall, the symposium emphasized collaboration and dialogue, with sessions designed to give delegates actionable insights to implement in their sectors for transforming agricultural systems. Attending this conference as a knowledge exchange opportunity formed part of the ongoing events series associated with our Recodo platform , to share key activity and outputs with stakeholders.

Moritz Fritschle shares insights from project research on behavioral factors in agri-environmental program design. Project researcher Moritz Fritschle, third from left | Credit: Katrin Wientges The ÖkoProg Live Event 2025 brought together leading voices in sustainable agriculture and environmental policy, providing a platform for innovative research and evidence-based solutions. Among the notable presentations was the contribution from Moritz Fritschle, who shared insights from his work within the H2020 FRAMEwork project, focusing on the crucial role of behavioral factors in agri-environmental program design. Fritschle, a PhD student in environmental economics at the Institute for Environmental Systems Research (IUSF) at the University of Osnabrück, presented research that bridges the gap between theoretical policy design and practical farmer implementation. His work within the FRAMEwork project explores how understanding farmers' identities and behavioral motivations can significantly improve the effectiveness of agri-environmental programs. The ÖkoProg Live Event, organized by the Öko-Progressives Netzwerk e.V. (Eco-Progressive Network), proved to be an ideal venue for this type of interdisciplinary research. The organization, which describes itself as promoting "sustainability without 'the good old days,'" focuses on evidence-based environmental solutions that serve as an interface between scientific findings, social debate, economic implementation, and political work. Mortiz reports that: "I am really greatful that I could present my work from FRAMEwork at the ÖkoProg Live Event. Why behavioural factors such as farmers' identities should be taken into account when designing agri-environmental programmes was a complement to the great talks before on topics like agrobiodiversity in landscapes and new approaches to food production". Fritschle's presentation on behavioral factors in agricultural policy design complemented the event's broader focus on agrobiodiversity and innovative food production approaches. His research emphasized why traditional top-down policy approaches often fall short when they fail to account for the complex decision-making processes of individual farmers. The FRAMEwork project's approach, as presented by Fritschle, represents a growing recognition within environmental policy circles that successful biodiversity conservation and sustainable agriculture programs must account for the human element. By understanding how farmers perceive themselves, their role in the landscape, and their relationship with environmental stewardship, policy makers can design more effective and widely adopted programs. This behavioral economics perspective aligns perfectly with the ÖkoProg network's mission of developing science-based transformation strategies for a sustainable future. The organization's focus on making scientific findings comprehensible and developing them through inclusive discussion creates an ideal environment for research like Fritschle's, which seeks to translate complex behavioral insights into practical policy applications. The ÖkoProg Live Event 2025 demonstrated the value of bringing together researchers, policy makers, and practitioners to discuss the multifaceted challenges of sustainable agriculture. Fritschle's contribution from the FRAMEwork project highlighted how European research initiatives are advancing our understanding of the intersection between human behavior and environmental outcomes. The event's emphasis on evidence-based approaches to sustainability, combined with its focus on practical implementation, provided an ideal platform for sharing the FRAMEwork project's insights on how behavioral considerations can enhance the design and effectiveness of agri-environmental programs across Europe.

FRAMEwork has released FRAMEtest, a decision support tool that decision makers explore management scenarios before committing to land-use changes. Land use decision makers, from farm businesses to policymakers, need confidence that proposed changes will deliver results. FRAMEtest simulates how interventions like hedgerow restoration, wildflower strips, reduced pesticides, or organic conversion would affect biodiversity, ecosystem services and farm economics across multiple years. By visualising outcomes in advance, the tool reduces uncertainty and supports more sustainable land use decisions. From research to working tools Ecological research has documented how farming practices influence biodiversity. Yet farmers and land managers struggle to translate this knowledge into concrete decisions suited to their circumstances, budget constraints and conservation priorities. FRAMEtest bridges this gap through three core components. An agent-based model simulates how individual farming decisions aggregate into landscape-scale biodiversity patterns, capturing realistic farmer behaviour and decision-making. Machine learning modules trained on the model enable rapid scenario evaluation without computationally expensive simulations, making the tool accessible to practitioners. An ecosystem services calculator quantifies multiple benefits—pollination, pest control, water quality, soil carbon—alongside biodiversity outcomes, supporting nuanced decision-making that aligns conservation with farm profitability. You can look back at the development journey here. Making complex models accessible The virtual landscape generator creates realistic scenarios based on farm type, regional soils, climate and existing practices. Users input their land, current approaches and conservation goals, then explore intervention outcomes. The system visualises how different practices could affect biodiversity and farm economics across years. Farmers can compare scenarios not only by biodiversity gain but also by economic viability, soil health and carbon sequestration potential. Farming decisions involve trade-offs—between conservation gain and economic viability, between soil health and carbon storage. FRAMEtest enables farmers to compare multiple intervention scenarios across multiple dimensions, supporting nuanced decision-making grounded in evidence. By placing evidence-informed decision-making directly in the hands of land managers, the tool democratises access to sophisticated ecological modelling. This approach is particularly valuable for cluster-level decisions, where effective coordination requires careful assessment of shared objectives and local conditions. To watch a webinar on the tool on this site visit https://www.framework-biodiversity.eu/watch. To learn more about FRAMEtest and how to access the tool visit our Info Hub: https://recodo.io/page/frametest-decision-support-tool, read the report here: https://zenodo.org/records/17174569, and explore related project publications at: https://www.framework-biodiversity.eu/publications.

New training materials from a project workshop support replication across project areas, and beyond! FRAMEwork has published the training materials and event documentation from a May 2022 workshop in Luxembourg that taught farmer cluster facilitators how to organise and run bioblitz events. The materials are designed as a replicable package. One cluster that attended the training conducted a bioblitz, generating 701 observations of 249 species from 129 participants, demonstrating that the model transfers from training to the field. What Does the Training Cover? The workshop walked facilitators through the full event lifecycle: choosing a site, recruiting local identification experts, engaging target audiences, managing logistics on the day, and evaluating outcomes. Facilitators learned to use iNaturalist, a global biodiversity platform available in 61 languages, as the recording backbone. The materials address practical detail that generic guides tend to skip. Welcome stands matter because participants arriving at a large outdoor site need immediate orientation. Expert stations positioned at strategic locations help people identify what they find. Guided walks engage more participants than self-guided routes. Advance coordination meetings between all partners prevent confusion on the day. How was it Implemented? The training package illustrates implementation using one case study from the project’s extensive Citizen Science activities across its Farmer Clusters. Shortly after the training, the Born Farmer Cluster in Luxembourg ran a bioblitz as part of the City Nature Challenge 2022, coordinated with the Luxembourg Museum of Natural History, Ramborn Cider Company and Naturpark Mellerdall Geopark. The event featured a 5.5-kilometre trail through orchard landscapes, three expert stations, two guided tours and refreshments. Participants documented ticks (Ixodes Ricinus), hogweed or cow parsnip (Heracleum plants), the common buzzard (Buteo buteo) and dozens of other species. Feedback was positive: participants described the event as friendly and informative and said they learned about orchards through direct observation. The materials note areas for improvement too. Earlier advertising, clearer species guides for non-experts, and iNaturalist instructions printed on maps would all strengthen future events. Access the full training package: https://zenodo.org/records/16080010. Browse all FRAMEwork resources at https://www.framework-biodiversity.eu/publications.

FRAMEwork has published evidence-based guidelines on supporting viable farming on marginal lands across diverse European regions. Land abandonment poses a critical challenge to European biodiversity, food security and rural livelihoods. As economic pressures drive farmers to exit production on marginal lands, former agricultural areas rapidly transition to scrubland and woody encroachment, reducing habitat diversity for farmland specialists. FRAMEwork has published guidelines providing evidence-based strategies for managing abandoned land and supporting farmers on marginal farms across diverse European contexts. Understanding Abandonment's Drivers Land abandonment stems from economic viability collapse on marginal farms, compounded by social factors including demographic change and rural decline. Approximately 25 per cent of EU farmland is classified as marginal, vulnerable to abandonment as commodity prices stagnate and production costs rise. Labour availability has become critical, particularly in remote regions experiencing rural depopulation. Younger farmers are abandoning land as they migrate to urban centres seeking employment security and amenities unavailable in agricultural communities. These structural shifts interact with ecological succession, where abandoned fields rapidly become dominated by woody vegetation unsuitable for biodiversity-dependent species. In Alpine Austria, abandonment of grasslands reduces habitat for mountain-adapted species. In Estonia, arable land abandonment accelerates woody encroachment. In Italy, olive groves face abandonment due to labour intensity and low commodity prices. Developing Region-specific solutions FRAMEwork case studies across Austria, Estonia and Italy reveal that abandonment prevention requires integrated approaches combining economic support, social capital development and adaptive management. Successful interventions include agri-environmental payments for traditional management, cooperative hay marketing to reduce transaction costs, and agroforestry combining timber production with biodiversity. In Alpine regions, subsidies for habitat management sustain valuable alpine meadows whilst supporting farm income. In Estonia, community-supported grassland management and Natura 2000 payments stabilise semi-natural habitats. In Italy, cooperative processing facilities and geographic indication certification improve profitability whilst supporting rural communities. Organic certification creates market premiums that enhance viability on marginal land. These evidence-based strategies help policymakers and practitioners design integrated support systems tailored to diverse regional contexts. Effective abandonment prevention also requires recognition of social dimensions. Retaining farmers in marginal areas depends not only on income but on access to training, cooperative organisations, and community engagement. Policies must address both the push factors driving abandonment and pull factors that attract farmers to remain in rural areas. No single policy instrument suffices; successful regions employ diversified subsidies, cooperative structures, value-added processing and ecosystem services payments tailored to local conditions and farmer preferences. Access the full guidelines: https://zenodo.org/records/17174565. Explore all FRAMEwork publications: https://www.framework-biodiversity.eu/publications.

NORDECO publish project-funded papers on how to engage citizens... A person participating in Citizen Science | Unsplash As part of the H2020 FRAMEwork project, our partner NORDECO has contributed to three significant publications released by the Nordic Council of Ministers that generally showcase the vital role of citizen science and community-based monitoring and offer specific guidance for Arctic biodiversity conservation. The Arctic region faces unprecedented environmental challenges, from climate change impacts to biodiversity loss. Recognizing that effective conservation requires local engagement, NORDECO researchers Finn Danielsen and Gitte Kragh have been instrumental in developing practical resources that empower Arctic communities to participate actively in environmental monitoring and management. These publications demonstrate how citizen science can bridge the gap between scientific research and community action, creating more resilient and informed approaches to biodiversity conservation. 1. Practical Guidelines for Arctic Citizen Engagement (2025) The publication " Vejledning til styrkelse af borgerinddragelse i forvaltning af naturen i Arktis " (Guidelines for strengthening citizen involvement in nature management in the Arctic) provides hands-on guidance for Arctic countries. Co-authored by Ólavsdóttir, Magnussen, Hammer, Enghoff, Joensen, and Danielsen, this Scandinavian-language resource (TemaNord2025-543) offers practical strategies for integrating local communities into environmental governance processes. 2. Strengthening Local Monitoring Systems (2025) " Styrket lokalt baseret monitering og forvaltning af levende ressourcer i Arktis " (Strengthened locally-based monitoring and management of living resources in the Arctic) presents Nordic Arctic lessons on community-based environmental monitoring. This publication (TemaNord2025-525) shares successful approaches and methodologies that have proven effective across the Nordic Arctic region. 3. Joint Nordic Biodiversity Efforts (2024) The "Joint Nordic Effort for Biodiversity" report represents a collaborative voice from Nordic NGOs to their governments. This publication (TemaNord2024-539) specifically addresses how to involve citizens in monitoring progress toward the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework Agreement, connecting local actions to global biodiversity commitments. FRAMEwork's Mission These publications directly support FRAMEwork's objectives in Work Package 3, particularly: Task 3.3 : Designing and implementing citizen science monitoring campaigns with the wider public Task 3.4 : Building networks with existing citizen observatory initiatives Along with IIASA, through WP3 coordination, NORDECO helps support successful citizen science approaches on the project align with farmer and expert monitoring efforts, creating a comprehensive biodiversity monitoring framework. Real-World Impact You can follow FRAMEwork's Citizen Science activities here and on Recodo's Farmer Cluster stories , shared directly by Cluster Facilitators. NORDECO's work also extends beyond these activities and publications. The team actively engages with: The European Citizen Science Association (ECSA) Working Group on Agri-Food The Danish Universities' START Centre for Sustainable Agrifood Systems The Global Environment Facility (GEF) Council on citizen science integration Danish NGOs on environmental development strategies Access the Publications Vejledning til styrkelse af borgerinddragelse i forvaltning af naturen i Arktis Styrket lokalt baseret monitering og forvaltning af levende ressourcer i Arktis Joint Nordic Effort for Biodiversity

FRAMEwork has released over 70 citizen science protocols tested across nine European countries and tailored specifically for farmer-led implementation. Biodiversity monitoring resources abound! From guides, to manuals and protocols largely professional ecologists. Yet few are specifically designed for farmer-led implementation at meaningful landscape scales. FRAMEwork has released an extensive collection of over 70 citizen science protocols, applications and supporting materials tested and refined through monitoring activities across eleven European Farmer Clusters. Protocols grounded in real farming contexts The collection reflects sustained practical work across nine countries representing diverse European farming systems: intensive arable cropland, permanent grassland, orchards, vineyards and integrated mixed farms. Each protocol has been carefully developed and systematically validated through iterative use in real Farmer Clusters, making them accessible and relevant to working farmers managing multiple competing priorities. This explicit grounding in farming realities matters. Protocols that work only under ideal research conditions have limited practical value to busy farmers balancing conservation with productive work. The protocols strike a deliberate balance between scientific rigour and practical feasibility, enabling farmers to collect reliable, reproducible data on biodiversity and ecosystem services without requiring extensive specialist training or expensive specialised equipment. Diversity of approaches and technologies The protocols span multiple taxa and ecological systems. Some focus on charismatic wildlife like birds, bats and butterflies, which engages farmer interest and demonstrates visible outcomes. Others address less obvious but ecologically crucial groups such as ground-dwelling invertebrates, earthworms and pollinators that form the foundation of ecosystem functioning. Several protocols exploit modern technology: camera traps for wildlife monitoring, acoustic recording for bird and bat surveys, and smartphone applications for species identification and automated data submission. This technological integration reduces barriers to participation whilst maintaining robust data quality through standardised workflows and automated quality checks. Each protocol includes detailed practical instructions for species identification, observation timing, data recording and result interpretation. Materials are provided in multiple European languages, recognising that multilingual resources are essential for supporting farmer engagement across linguistically diverse regions. Community and collective learning Beyond core protocols, FRAMEwork has developed supplementary support materials including group activities for cluster engagement, such as engaging bioblitz tours combining social engagement with structured ecological observation. These approaches recognise that farming is fundamentally social and that collective monitoring activities can simultaneously build ecological knowledge, strengthen farmer networks and foster social cohesion within communities. Group activities create valuable opportunities for farmers to learn from each other whilst conducting meaningful ecological work together. Peer learning often proves more persuasive than information delivered by external experts, as farmers trust observations from neighbouring farmers facing similar constraints. Access the full collection at https://zenodo.org/records/13832188. For additional resources and information on FRAMEwork's monitoring approaches, visit https://www.framework-biodiversity.eu/publications.

FRAMEwork has released evidence from rigorous before-after-control-impact analysis showing that structured monitoring catalyses measurable ecological recovery FRAMEwork's multi-year impact assessment across eleven farmer clusters in ten European countries employs rigorous before-after-control-impact (BACI) experimental design to answer a critical question: does monitoring biodiversity on farmland actually improve ecological outcomes? Results demonstrate that structured monitoring combined with farmer engagement catalyses measurable biodiversity recovery, particularly when farmers receive regular feedback about biodiversity changes on their own land. This finding has profound implications for how governments design agri-environmental schemes and support farmer-led conservation. Monitoring as Feedback, not Compliance Biodiversity monitoring provides essential feedback loops for adaptive management, yet limited evidence exists on whether monitoring itself drives conservation outcomes distinct from other interventions. Traditional agri-environmental monitoring focused on compliance verification—checking that farmers met contractual obligations—rather than generating farmer feedback that catalyses behaviour change. FRAMEwork shifted this paradigm by examining whether structured monitoring programmes actively drive biodiversity improvement when coupled with farmer engagement and cluster participation. Monitoring programmes measured avian communities using point counts and territory mapping, quantified pollinators using standardised netting methods, and assessed vegetation composition through field surveys. BACI analysis compared multi-year change on intervention farms against neighbouring control farms with no monitoring or intervention, allowing rigorous attribution of ecological changes to monitoring and management. Measurable species recovery drives farmer action Results show farms receiving structured monitoring modified practices more rapidly and extensively than control farms. Avian monitoring detected shifts in bird community composition, with increasing observations of grassland specialists on managed farms. Pollinator monitoring using standardised netting transects identified significant increases in bumblebee abundance and species diversity on intervention farms. Vegetation surveys revealed increasing botanical richness in field margins and grasslands managed for conservation, particularly on farms with extended monitoring data. Management changes observed included field margin establishment, hedgerow restoration, reduced herbicide use and creation of shallow-water features supporting amphibians and dragonflies. This pattern suggests cumulative benefits: as monitoring continues, farmers gain confidence in the management approach and expand conservation measures across their holdings. The mechanisms appear twofold: monitoring data provides tangible evidence of conservation importance, motivating farmer action; cluster participation fosters peer learning and collaborative norm-setting that normalises biodiversity-friendly practices. Farmers respond positively to visual evidence of species recovery on their own farms and neighbouring properties. Seeing bumblebees increase, grassland birds return, or wildflower diversity expand provides concrete proof that management changes deliver ecological benefits. Rather than following generic guidelines, cluster members can adjust their approach based on local monitoring evidence, optimising conservation outcomes. This adaptive capacity reflects the power of information in enabling farmers to refine their practices toward greater effectiveness. Access the full publication at https://zenodo.org/records/17159544 and explore other FRAMEwork resources at https://www.framework-biodiversity.eu/publications.

The Basse-Durcance Farmer Cluster goes to bat for the bats! © INRAE/GRAB On June 28th, INRAE & Grab gathered some Framework Cluster farmers with their advisors (GRCeta) to teach them about bat observation with an endoscopic camera. Farmers were invited to observe bat boxes during summer, before the apple harvest. Boxes were installed in orchards in 2022 , to help arborists reduce the number of insecticides through the bats carrying out natural pest control. Farmers were each given an individual dossier with their specific maps and sheets for easy monitoring and reporting. Occupancy monitoring is carried out in the autumn to assess the level of presence of pipistrelles (mainly) in the environment and the interest of these shelters. Having bats actively hunting in orchards provides several functional benefits to the ecosystem. Bats are useful animals for farmers, because they consume a lot of insect crop pests. As natural pest controllers they feed on insects like moths, beetles, and other agricultural pests that can damage crops. By preying on these pests, bats help to reduce the need for chemical pesticides, promoting environmentally friendly farming practices. Additionally, their presence enhances pollination as bats are known to visit flowers and assist in the reproduction of fruit trees. Their nocturnal foraging behavior also complements the diurnal activities of other pollinators, ensuring continuous pollination throughout the day and optimizing fruit yield. Overall, bats play a crucial role in maintaining a balanced and healthy orchard ecosystem and INRAE & Grab believe that if farmers see bats chasing through in their orchards for themselves, they will think about reducing pesticide pressure. © INRAE/GRAB You can learn more about the project's Basse-Durance Farmer Cluster in France and follow their activities on our platform for Clusters .

The project's knowledge and action platform launches... We’re excited to share that over three years of collaborative work by FRAMEwork partners has led to the public launch of Recodo ! Recodo is an open access online platform that has been designed to support anyone making decisions for sustainable land management or taking action to monitor, maintain and restore vital ecosystems in farmed landscapes.  The platform provides an online home for our new Farmer Cluster Network and a place to share useful knowledge and resources on biodiversity with key landscape stakeholders. Recodo  expands access to the project’s knowledge base, allowing us to serve audiences online from the ground up - from farmers and their communities to researchers, NGOs and policy makers.  The platform built by IIASA How was the site developed?  In 2021, project Work Package 3 partners IIASA and Taskscape began developing the platform: holding workshops on user requirements within the project consortium, developing branding and testing mock-ups with leading Cluster farmers.  September 2023 saw a beta version go online, launching Farmer Cluster Network profiles that Clusters can populate with information and their latest news through ‘Farmer Cluster Stories’. The platform was then reviewed by key user groups outside the project. This process confirmed interest from target audiences identified for the site and enabled us to further understand and serve their needs. © Taskscape Media What can I currently find on the site? The platform has been developed from the ground up - starting with a core offer focused around our new Farmer Cluster Network. You can explore their profiles today and access associated resources supporting successful interventions for landscape-scale biodiversity management: ‘Landscape Leaders: Farmer Cluster Training Programme’ Online Biodiversity Observatory Citizen Science Guides Global News Feed Curated resources library Informative media content What’s coming in launch Phase Two? This is just the beginning! In the Autumn of 2024, a further suite of knowledge tools and resources will come online including: The Farmland Ecosystem Assessment Support Tool helping users test biodiversity-sensitive land management decisions virtually using real-world data. The Data Hub opening up biodiversity data from across our Cluster Network to farmers, communities and researchers. © Taskscape Media We’ll also be exploring topics important to our users through Substack and YouTube channels and planning is underway for an event series, ‘Recodo in Real Life’, bringing our extended community together offline for dedicated events. For now, we hope you enjoy exploring the platform and sharing its core offer. It’s a fantastic way to access knowledge and experience from a broad network of people acting for agrobiodiversity across Europe. To see ideas that have been in development since FRAMEwork’s start come to life through the hard work and commitment of our consortium is inspiring and we remain excited for what Recodo can provide users going forward. © Taskscape Media | Graphics contain quotes summarised from feedback interviews If you would like to share relevant resources on the platform please get in touch .

Fundación Artemisan share project learnings on cover crops... © ARTEMISAN Last week, FRAMEwork partner Fundación Artemisan  had the opportunity to share the tangible impacts of their long-running work on cover crops with an audience of public workers and technicians from sustainability and environmental delegations.  On 10th October, the LIFE Iberconejo  project held an event, “Prevention of Rabbit Damage in Agriculture” at the Centro IFAPA Alameda del Obispo  in collaboration with the Royal Spanish Hunting Federation  and Andalusian Hunting Federation .  Artemisan researcher Gonzalo Varas Romero filled us in on the event:  “The meeting was very interesting. Different people showed the main problems related to the overabundance of rabbits and the different solutions. Cristóbal´s point of view, who has experienced as a farmer before the problem, during and now, was very interesting for everyone. He showed how the cover vegetations implemented in the Framework project had reduced or eliminated the problem. It is important to highlight the connections between different European projects to solve biodiversity problems in Europe.” Gonzalo and Cristobal present | © ARTEMISAN Gonzalo is the facilitator of FRAMEwork's Cazadores de Aguilar Farmer Cluster in which Cristobal is the lead farmer. LIFE Iberconejo is a consortium of Spanish and Portuguese entities working to establish a system for managing rabbit populations in the Iberian Peninsula, where they are a key species for the local ecosystem. Co-financed by the European Commission’s LIFE programme, the project seeks to improve the state of rabbit populations in the region and, at the same time, reduce and even prevent the damage rabbits cause to agriculture. Hunting organisations and environmental groups are important collaborators in Andalusia, and our colleagues at Artemisan are instrumental in this regional dynamic. Their FRAMEwork-funded research into sustainable hunting management to protect biodiversity has engaged politicians and policy-makers, affecting real change. Artemisan’s relationship with LIFE Iberconejo, who use their data analysis of regional rabbit populations in their databases, is another example of impactful landscape-scale collaboration.  At the event, representatives of Artemisan presented the FRAMEwork project alongside Cristóbal Reina, a farmer and former president of the Aguilar de la Frontera hunting reserve. They shared their success in implementing cover crops to significantly reduce damage caused by rabbits to olive and vineyard crops. Artemisan will participate in another event with LIFE Iberconejo later this month, discussing the conservation of the mountain rabbit.

Read the Autumn 2022 update from the Framework Project... Now project activity is really rolling on the ground, post-pandemic, WP1 partner Taskscape Associates has begun publishing a periodic e-newsletter. You can read the first edition below. Don't forget to subscribe and share if you find it valuable...