Ambassadors

  1. About Us
  2. Who We Are
  3. Ambassadors
Our Ambassadors are volunteers who have pledged to undertake outreach work in their locality, advising meadow owners and managers. They have been through a 2-3 year training programme with us, to help them understand our survey and research methods, so they can apply a scientific approach to assessing management of existing floodplain meadows, and help in the restoration of meadows. After their training has been completed, we continue to offer ongoing support and training to maintain their skills and share with them latest research. We now have 47 Ambassadors, spread across the country, each allocated to a county that contains floodplain meadows. You can use the map to find out whether there is an FMP Ambassador near you, who you can approach for advice.
Bridget Leyden
Area(s)Hampshire
SiteFallodon Reserve (River Itchen SSSI Unit 66)
Biography

I am able to help advise on the management and restoration of floodplain meadows in Hampshire.

Emailbridget.leyden@naturalengland.org.uk
Rachel Remnant
Area(s)Hampshire
SiteWinnall Moors
Biography

I am an experienced and expert nature reserves practitioner, with a specialism in floodplain meadows. As an 'Ambassador' for the Floodplain Meadows Partnership, I represent Hampshire. My habitat management work includes chalk streams, fen meadows, reedbed, heathland, chalk downland and wood pasture.

My many years of experience enable me to 'read' the land and advise on meadow management and restoration, especially on neglected or damaged protected sites.

I see community engagement as critical to successful land management and sustainability. As well as managing large areas with machinery and grazing animals, I can train and lead teams of volunteers doing work by hand. This develops food and fabric production, to promote the direct benefits of nature friendly land use.

In 2016 I was awarded a Churchill Fellowship to research making hay by hand. This investigated community relationships with hay meadows in Transylvania, Romania. Back in Winchester I promote scything to manage small wildflower meadows. This eye-catching activity is a conversation starter to promote the plight of biodiversity and how people can help restore grasslands for wildlife.

I am proud to have worked for Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust for almost 20 years. Through Land Lore Consulting I am widening my reach and impact by providing advice and guidance, locally and further afield. After a magical summer revisiting Romanian meadows and hauling grain on a regenerative farm I am now taking bookings for work. 

If you would like to arrange a call or meeting I would be pleased to hear from you. Please get in touch here .

Emailrachel@landloreconsulting.com