Go Wild In The Curl

Did you know?

The Go Wild in the Curl Group is currently made up of 24 local farmers so it covers over 70% of the catchment area. Farming is diverse in the Curl, ranging from arable cropping, beef and sheep to orchards, dairy and poultry.

We hope that by working together we will improve: water quality; connectivity between habitats; cooperation between neighbours; understanding of wildlife; commercial advantage for local farmers; understanding between community and landowners and of the levels of invasive species.

What have we been up to in the Curl?

Land Use Change – See how the landscape of the Curl has changed since this Tithe Map was drawn in 1840.

Water Quality Data – To find out about the conditions in the Curl click here to visit the Environment Agency’s Catchment Explorer.

Electrofishing summary – Each year the Wye & Usk Foundation undertake electro-fishing surveys to assess the health of life in the Curl. To read the most recent results click here (PDF).

Invasive Species – There are a number of invasive species present in the Curl. During the project we will work to eradicate as many as possible starting with Himalayan Balsam. To help identify it and find out how to control it click here (PDF).

Big Farmland Bird Count – Each year we will take part in the Big Farmland Bird Count to monitor the number and diversity of bird species in the Curl. Find out more and get involved.

Householder Information – If you live in the Curl there are things you can do to help! If you would like to volunteer for wildlife surveys or help us to eradicate invasives please

contact Tony or Lucinda. If you would like to see what you can do at home visit our If You Live Here section of the Join In page.

Group Events – The Curl group meet regularly often focusing on different topics or themes. Here are some of the meetings we’ve had so far: Stewardship Farm Walk with the Price family at Moorcourt. Bird ID Training at Lower Hope Farm kindly organised by the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust. Summer Farm Walks at Moseley Farm kindly hosted by the Norman Family and also at Westonbury Mill Water Gardens, kindly hosted by the Pim family. Alternative water for stock event with the Williams family at Marston Court Farm. 

Want a glimpse in to the lives of the wildlife living in the Curl? Watch these!

Want to get involved or find out more?

If you live in the Curl Brook Catchment and would like to be involved please get in touch. There are a wide range of ways that local farmers, residents and volunteers can help to restore the Curl to its full potential.

For more details contact:

Lucinda Lewis (Wye & Usk Foundation)

or Tony Norman (The Leen)

“The European Agricultural fund for Rural Development: Europe investing in rural areas. This project has received European Union funding under the Countryside Stewardship Schemes’s Facilitation Fund”.