About Mimram River Catchment Cluster
The Mimram Catchment Farm Cluster is a farmer led group that has been meeting since 2018. It brings together the managers of over 70% of the land in the catchment. Since 2023, the cluster has been meeting three or four times a year with events covering learning about conservation of the river, managing hedgerows, deer management, and using conservation funding.
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There is a management committee established that meets frequently to plan events and develop collaborations with other organisations that will support the cluster. All land managers (and their representatives) in the cluster area are welcome to attend meetings.
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As we step up our ambitions, we are seeking further external funding for specific projects and facilitation to support us in meeting our aims.
Conserving Our Natural Heritage
Our Mission
Supporting farmers and landowners around the River Mimram catchment with their environmental work and new opportunities
Our Vision
Our vision is to create a thriving and resilient ecosystem within the Mimram River catchment area while supporting the farming economy. We envision a future where the natural habitats and farming businesses are flourishing.
Aims
Mimram Catchment Farm Cluster aims to preserve the unique ecosystems of the Mimram catchment while empowering farmers to grow food in sustainable ways. The Mimram Catchment Farm Cluster brings together farmers and land owners covering over 70% of the land in this precious catchment and a rare chalk stream. The group is dedicated to assisting farmers and landowners with their environmental work and other areas of collaboration. Our initiatives are offering support and guidance to ensure sustainable practices and environmental conservation. We aim to make a positive impact on the local ecosystem and contribute to the overall well-being of the community.
Through collaboration with local stakeholders, we strive to protect the diverse flora and fauna, promote responsible land management, and raise awareness about the importance of preserving our natural heritage.
Initiatives
Farm Conservation Across the Catchment
​We are committed to sharing ideas about conservation and sustainable practices on farms. We support farmer members to continue their work to preserve this important ecological area with a focus on breeding and feeding habitats for birds, mammals and amphibians. We share ideas about management of hedgerows, woodlands and other wildlife habitats, explore ways to connect existing environmental projects across the landscape and help farmers to navigate funding for nature. We aim to build farmers’ knowledge of current biodiversity and habitats, helping those wanting to monitor what they have on their land using simple techniques such as indicator species of farmland birds such as Yellowhammers.
Potential identified actions:
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Share learnings and get advice about implementing conservation actions and the Sustainable Farming Incentive
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Sourcing funding, equipment and labour for conservation actions to be delivered by farmer members- eg winter bird seed, owl boxes, hedge planting/fencing, field margins, orchards
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Share ideas and find funding for managing deer and other invasive species damaging habitats
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Provide members with baseline data and monitoring of key wildlife species and habitats, working with volunteer surveyors
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Provide farmer members with whole farm conservation plans
Restoring the River Mimram
Mimram Catchment Farm Cluster is dedicated to encouraging biodiversity across the catchment and along the river corridor preserving the natural beauty of the River Mimram. Our river clean-ups and habitat creation are aimed at maintaining the ecological balance and enhancing the biodiversity of the catchment. We aim to support land owners along the Mimram with advice on habitat creation and funding for new projects. Working with landowners along the river we aim to support the collection of monitoring data with indicator species such as water voles.
Potential actions
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Support for river clean ups and protecting the river from water pollution from roads
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Support for farmers to restore and maintain the river corridor habitat
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Develop larger scale Landscape Restoration programmes and design potential for Biodiversity Net Gain projects
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Support for collecting baseline and monitoring data on water quality and river biodiversity
Improving water quality and improving soils
The farmland across the catchment can play a role in ensuring water entering the river and groundwater is clean. Together, we share ideas about how avoid loss of nutrients in runoff, and how to avoid soil erosion. We aim to support farmer members to access funding for improving water quality through cover cropping and reducing sediment reaching the river during extreme weather. Improving soils helps filter water and also helps capture greenhouse gasses.
Potential actions:
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Supporting farmers wanting to grow catch crops and cover crops over winter
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Help farmers with baseline measurements for soil carbon
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Find new opportunities that provide farmers with funds for capturing carbon in soils
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Funding for creating buffer zones and sediment traps near rivers
Supporting the Farming Community
We believe in building a community that values and protects the natural resources within the Mimram River catchment area. By fostering stewardship and collaboration between farmers we aim to create a sustainable and thriving ecosystem for future generations. We create opportunities for farmers to learn and share ideas that support their farming and the habitats they manage
Potential actions:
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Bringing farmers together to share ideas
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Create informal events for training and learning about new opportunities identified by farmer members
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Share existing plans and maps for conservation actions so there can be coordinated action landscape wide
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Ensure representation of Mimram Catchment farmer views in county level strategies
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Provide information to the public about the extent of conservation work carried out on farms across the catchment
