The countryman and conservation

Matt Limb OBE looks at the role that our rural communities play in conservation planning and why they are best placed to help.

In recent years, dramatic headlines about the demise of the rainforests have become all too familiar. Images of raging fires, chainsaws felling massive trees and photography capturing smoke billowing endlessly from deep within the forest can dominate the news.

Predictably, the commercial world is blamed, accompanied by cries of outrage over environmental destruction.

These stories are often driven by a small but vocal group who see every tree felled as a tragedy. Yet, I often wonder whether they’ve paused to consider the views of the indigenous populations. Have they asked about the benefits logging companies might bring to isolated communities, such as access to healthcare, education and jobs? As with many contentious issues, there are two sides to the argument, but fanatics too often refuse to see beyond their own perspective.

Closer to home, the call for mass tree planting has grown louder, with fresh pushes to help the UK achieve carbon neutrality. Yet, this is not a new concept. Some readers may remember the government-led campaign Plant a Tree in ’73 and the humorous follow-up slogan, Plant one more in ’74 – and if you are not sure, that was 1973.

Environmental impact
While tree-planting initiatives may be rebranded as new, modern environmental solutions, their roots stretch back decades. But is mass tree planting really the answer? Planting trees indiscriminately can alter environments in ways that are not always beneficial. Every tree impacts the habitat of wildlife, often disadvantaging species that thrive in open spaces.

Consider the much-loved grey partridge, a species that has been in decline for years and relies on farmland, fields and open areas, not woodlands, for survival.

Calculating how many trees are needed to offset carbon emissions may seem straightforward on paper, but the broader environmental consequences demand deeper thought.

For many eco-campaigners, tree planting is an easy sell to the public. It’s simple, visible and a quick win for fundraising. Yet real environmental progress demands more than planting a few saplings and celebrating a job well done. True sustainability requires nuance, expertise and long-term planning and this is where the countryman comes in.

Role of the countryman
The countryman, with a lifetime of local knowledge, is best placed to help guide environmental planning.

When I refer to “the countryman”, I mean not just the individual farmers, but also the rural communities, gamekeepers, landowners and all those whose lives and livelihoods are inherently connected to the countryside.

Living and working on the land daily, they understand it better than anyone else. They know where tree planting will enhance wildlife and where it could cause harm. This knowledge doesn’t come from spreadsheets or theories but from hands-on experience and a deep connection to the land.

More importantly, these skills are not learned overnight; they are passed down through generations. The countryman knows which fields are prone to flooding, where soil erosion is likely to occur and how to farm the land accordingly. They can pinpoint areas at high risk of summer fires or those vital for drainage after heavy rainfall. These challenges are not abstract concepts, but daily realities that directly impact livelihoods and communities.

This knowledge is vital because the consequences of environmental decisions, good or bad, are felt most acutely at the local level. A poorly planned tree-planting scheme might disrupt drainage patterns, increase flood risks, or destroy habitats critical to certain species. While the benefits, such as carbon offsetting, are often felt globally, the repercussions of these decisions play out locally and it is the countryman who bears the brunt when things go wrong.

The countryman’s understanding is not static; it evolves with changing landscapes, climate patterns and technological advances. Traditional skills remain central, but they are increasingly underpinned by modern science.

Value of collaboration
Many countrymen now collaborate with conservationists and environmental organisations, blending practical knowledge with cutting-edge research to develop sustainable solutions.

Sadly, this collaboration isn’t as widespread as it should be. Policymakers and campaigners often overlook the voices of those who live and work in the countryside. Instead, they favour top-down approaches driven by city-based organisations that lack a deep understanding of rural life.

The result? Solutions that may look good but fail to address the complex realities of the countryside. Take tree planting, for example. It’s easy to propose planting thousands of trees to offset carbon emissions, but where will these trees go? How will they impact local ecosystems, agriculture and communities?

The countryman sees the land not as a blank canvas but as a living, breathing entity with its own needs and limitations. Remember the key industry in our countryside is food production, plus we should be mindful that the fast-growing risk we are facing is that of food security.

Environmental sustainability is not a new concept for those who work the land. Rural communities have practised reuse and conservation for decades, long before it became fashionable.

Consider the humble milk bottle. Once, milkmen delivered milk in glass bottles, which were collected, cleaned, refilled, and returned to use. No plastic, no waste and a minimal carbon footprint.

Contrast this with today’s plastic milk containers. These require separation from other waste, transportation to recycling facilities, energy-intensive processing and further transport to factories for remanufacture. Then they are filled with milk and distributed to supermarkets. The emissions from this entire process are staggering and it’s hard to argue this system is more environmentally-friendly than its glass predecessor.

Repair and reuse
I believe the label ‘recyclable’ has lulled many into a false sense of security. If something can be recycled, it’s now widely assumed to be environmentally good. But the reality is far more complex. Recycling plastic often carries a significant carbon footprint, sometimes outweighing any perceived benefit.

By contrast, rural communities excel in reuse. On any farm, you’ll find fertiliser bags repurposed, tin drums given new life and equipment repaired rather than discarded.

For the countryman, single-use items are a very last resort; not just for environmental reasons, but because wastefulness is very costly. This practical approach to sustainability is something we could all learn from.

Yet the rural environment faces challenges beyond tree planting and waste management. One battle fast approaching is the relentless spread of electricity pylons, marching across the countryside to carry power between cities. While urban areas enjoy the benefits, the rural environment bears the burden, with its beauty and character often sacrificed.

Similarly, the rise of solar farms and wind turbines threatens to blight landscapes, swallowing up productive farmland and green spaces. These installations may tick the box for clean energy, but at what cost to the countryside, its wildlife, its communities and food production?

The countryman’s voice
It’s time policymakers and campaigners recognised the value of the countryman’s voice. These are the people who live with the consequences of environmental decisions every day. They know how to plant trees responsibly, manage land sustainably and mitigate local risks. Their expertise is invaluable, yet too often ignored.

By involving countrymen in environmental planning, we can create solutions that are both effective and sustainable. Every action has risks, rewards and consequences and these must be carefully weighed.

Tree-planting schemes, for example, could be designed to enhance local ecosystems rather than disrupt them. Climate policies could account for the unique risks of flooding and fire in rural areas.

As the world grapples with climate change and environmental degradation, one thing is clear: the countryman has a vital role to play. With their deep understanding of the land, practical experience and commitment to sustainability, they are uniquely positioned to guide the way forward.

By combining local knowledge with global thinking and grounding it in scientific research, we can create solutions that benefit people locally, and the planet. But this will only happen if we start listening to the countryman and valuing their local expertise.

The challenges we face are immense, so too are the opportunities. By working together – countrymen, policymakers, scientists and campaigners – we can build a more sustainable future. Let’s not waste this massive chance.

The countryman’s voice deserves to be heard – and acted upon.

Photographs: Matt Limb OBE

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