OUR WORK 2016-17

SUSTAINING COMMONS BY ACTIVE GRAZING @4CommonLand www.foundationforcommonland.org.uk

Registered in England & Wales, Company No 8113120 Charity No 1150439 Wallacefield, Armathwaite, Carlisle CA4 9SR

Highlights of our work in 2016-17 include: Supporting the development of a future strategy for Welsh Commons with Welsh commoners, Welsh Government and other stakeholders Delivered Hill Farming Training courses to 73 Conservation Professionals in Scotland and Wales in who say they now have a better understanding of commoning. The training was delivered in partnership with the Scottish Crofting Federation and Torfaen Council and funded by the Prince’s Countryside Fund. Developed a new common land training programme with Swansea City Council for delivery in Gower to the government, conservationists, police and fire fighters Appointment to RPA’s Senior Stakeholder Group has increased our ability to hold RPA to account Identified and highlighted gross errors in payments to commoners. These have been rectified and over 60% of commoners have received additional payments. Drafted, consulted on and produced a Charter for Collaborative Action on Natural Flood Management. The Charter is a public agreement between the Environment Agency, partners and communities to work collaboratively and has been adopted by the Cumbria Flood Action Plan. Chair of the Uplands Alliance - a network for all with a passion and concern for the uplands. The Alliance is leading on gathering evidence to influence the shape of future support for the Uplands post Brexit. Over 300 people have participated in events held Northern England, the English Marches, South West and London Ongoing advice to commoners groups, commoners, owners of common land and stakeholders via our website and networks including new links with the New Forest Commoners Working with national organisations such as National Trust to be better owners of common land

Our charitable objectives are: • To conserve for the benefit of the public the agricultural systems

and the cultural landscapes delivered by commoning and the management of common land.

• To promote the conservation of the physical and natural environment by supporting the responsible and sustainable pastoral use of common land

• To conduct and commission research into commoning and common land issues and publish the results of such research to the public at large

• To educate the public in subjects pertaining to commoning and common land

Governance The Foundation for Common Land is managed by a Board of Trustees who meet regularly to set the strategy and plan the activities of the Charity. We have a part-time Executive Director and Programme Manager and commission work from consultants when required.

Funding: Core Funding has been gratefully been granted by the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation for 2016-20. Specific projects have been supported financially by the Prince’s Countryside Fund and our Better Outcomes partners. Thank you to all our funders for enabling us to continue our work