We launched the Cotswolds Champions Programme in 2020 to support a small but diverse selection of landscape enhancement projects. Some of these projects were our own, and some were proposed by others.
The supported projects were chosen to highlight different priorities and approaches, revealing the breadth of work that can make a difference. We also wanted to feature a broad range of people and organisations, aiming to illustrate the various ways they contribute, and the value of partnership working.
The programme was made possible with funding from Network Rail (NR). This was secured, following negotiations, as part of a settlement agreement, to mitigate and compensate for the impacts of rail electrification works in the protected landscape. The figures in brackets below show how this funding was allocated. The terms of the settlement agreement meant that 50% of the programme budget was allocated to the Rail Corridor Enhancement project, to deliver mitigation, with the remaining 50% made available for other landscape enhancement projects, as a form of compensation.
Supported Projects
Rail Corridor Enhancement Project (£204,000)
Cotswolds National Landscape in partnership with the Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group SouthWest, working with farmers and landowners.
Lineside planting of trees and hedges, plus other landscape enhancements, to help mitigate the visual impact of rail electrification infrastructure between Old Sodbury (South Glos) and Alderton (Wilts).
The Golden Valley, Communities for Insects (£20,000)
Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust and the Royal Entomological Society, working with local farmers and landowners.
Improving the management of mosaic grassland habitats and improving connectivity across different landholdings in the Golden Valley between Stroud and Sapperton, helping the large blue butterfly and other insect species recover.
Headwaters of the Little Avon, Catchment Improvement Project (£28,000)
Bristol Avon Rivers Trust (BART), working with local farmers and landowners.
Surveying the Little Avon’s headwaters between Old Sodbury and Wotton-under-Edge, aiming to initiate a programme of works to conserve and enhance these watercourses and improve the whole catchment.
Protecting and Enhancing the By Brook and its Local Environment (£19,305)
Wiltshire Wildlife Trust, working with multiple local stakeholders.
Phase 2 of a catchment-wide project aiming to protect and enhance the river and its local environment by bringing farmers, landowners and communities together to identify issues and find nature-based solutions.
CPRE Ash Dieback Project (£4,186)
Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) Gloucestershire branch, working with Parish Councils and community groups.
Scheme for parish councils and community groups, to cover the cost of planting and protecting replacement trees for those that are being lost to ash dieback. Ash is an important tree throughout the landscape but over 90% are expected to die.
Kingfisher Trail (£25,000)
Cotswolds National Landscape in collaboration with the Art of Fundraising and local businesses.
Two trails featuring 22 Kingfisher sculptures painted by local artists, aiming to engage diverse audiences and raise awareness of the landscape. The sculptures were subsequently auctioned off, raising c. £60k for rural skills outreach work.
Net Zero Cotswolds (£56,000)
Cotswolds National Landscape in collaboration with Small World Consulting and 3Keel.
Recruitment of Climate Action Lead on fixed-term basis, to work with specialist consultants and engage with local stakeholders, aiming to identify viable routes to net zero and how this may influence landscape enhancement priorities.
Caring for the Cotswolds (£29,700)
Cotswolds National Landscape, working with community groups and non-profits.
Funding boost for our long-running visitor giving and small grants scheme, hoping to raise its profile and increasing support for local charities, community groups, parish councils and other non-profits with landscape enhancement projects.
