Environmental Policy
Farm is so dependent, is safeguarded in a sustainable manner for future generations to enjoy.
We are committed to continuing to improve our environmental performance, minimising our
environmental impact and making resource efficiency a core requirement of all our operations.
We will seek to promote good practice by others.
Our Organisation:
Energy
Wellsfield Farm monitors and manages its consumption and use of energy and fuels. We have
reduced our energy and fuels consumption in recent years and will continue to work towards reducing
the consumption of energy and to reduce our contribution to emissions of gases and other pollutants
which are believed to contribute to climate change. We will endeavour to investigate the feasibility of
generating power from renewable energy generation projects.
Water
Wellsfield Farm monitors and manages its consumption and use of water. We have reduced our
consumption of potable water in recent years and will continue to work towards reducing the
consumption of water at Wellsfield Farm within our buildings, facilities and lands. We have also
reduced our water wastage by minimising losses via uncontrolled discharges to the land and will
continue to do so.
Waste
Wellsfield Farm has reduced the volume of waste in recent years. We will continue to work toward
reducing the volume of waste within our buildings and on the farm, wherever possible, by:
- reducing consumption of
- repairing
- re-using
- recycling
All materials used within our buildings and on the farm both in daily operations and in construction
and other projects.
Materials
Where possible, Wellsfield Farm will monitor and manage its consumption and use of other resources
and materials used within its bounds, working to minimise our reliance on non-renewable resources
and to avoid use of any hazardous substances.
Organic Recycling
Wellsfield Farm continuously recycles various organic waste products on the farm, which in turn
reduces our consumption of non-organic man made products. The majority of fodder crops grown on
the farm are consumed sustainably on the farm.
Carbon Footprint
Wellsfield Farm has reduced its net Carbon Footprint significantly in recent years and will continue to
reduce this where possible. This has been achieved by reducing emissions to the atmosphere, for
example reduction in combustion of waste and by using more efficient agricultural machinery. We will
encourage all visitors and clients of Wellsfield Farm to reduce their consumption and reduce their
carbon footprint. The average UK residents Carbon Footprint is 10 tonnes of CO2 per year.
We have planted over 50,000 trees and 25,000 hedgerow shrubs since 1985. Many of these are
deciduous trees and will absorb up to 50,000 tonnes of CO2 during their lifetime, which will offset
5000 peoples Carbon Footprint for one year. Each tree will absorb 1 tonne of CO2 in its 100 year
average lifetime.
Biodiversity
Wellsfield Farm has recently enhanced wildlife biodiversity and will continue to seek to enhance the
biodiversity value of the farm. Wellsfield Farm promotes wildlife and nature conservation and is
involved in many Green, Ecological, Environmental & Bio-diversity projects to enhance natural wildlife
habitats.
The following conservation projects have been completed, or are currently underway and being
managed at Wellsfield Farm to increase and enhance natural wildlife and their habitats:
- Creation and Planting of Amenity, Fir & Pine, Deciduous Woodland
- Creation and Planting of Hedgerows & Beetle banks
- Creation of Field Buffer Zones
- Woodland Management (Planting, Cutting, Coppicing, Brashing)
- Arable Crop Rotation
- Pasture Management
- Creation and Planting of Wildflowers and Special Species of Wild Grass for Butterflies
- Creation of Wildlife Ponds, Lochans & Water Bodies (Permanent & Seasonal) for Fish, Aquatic Species and Migratory Birds
- Creation & Upgrading of Water Margins
- Creation of Game Cover Crop Areas
- Grassland Bird Management
- Deer Management
- Bee Hive Apery
- Bird Hide
- Extensive Bird Nest Box Placement (Woodpeckers, Finches, Songbirds)
- Floating Islands for Mute Swan, Moorhen, Coot and Little Grebe Nests
- Creation of Nature Walks & Horse Riding Bridal Paths
- Drystone Dyke Upgrading
- Boundary Fencing of Streams (Prevention of silting up - livestock)
- Opening up of Redundant Roads for Educational Nature Trails
- Invasive Species Management
- Organic Recycling
Pollution Risk
We have recently conducted farm steading and farm lands diffuse pollution audits to reduce the risk of
diffuse pollution to the environment. The farms layout and operational design allows for the
separation of dirty run-off water from clean run-off water, to avoid dirty water entering any
watercourses where fish and other species live. We have relocated fuel tanks and we have reduced
our stocks of other hazardous items to minimise spillage risk.
Flooding
Wellsfield Farm is managed to reduce flooding as far as is reasonably practicable. The lands are
drained using traditional clay tiles which are maintained well and issue freely to the surface. The
impoundments at Wellsfield Trout Fishery (the 3 fishing Lochans) are designed to store flood water
and discharge accumulations slowly - which in turn reduces flooding in the downstream watercourses
of the River Carron catchment.
Transport
Wellsfield Farm will monitor and work to reduce its contribution to environmental emissions from travel
undertaken, deliveries made to and from the farm and from vehicles and machinery used for business
purposes.
Procurement
Wellsfield Farm will purchase goods and services to minimise adverse environmental effects.
Wellsfield Farm will seek to undertake sustainable procurement actions that comply with EC
regulatory requirements and UK Government policy on public procurement and its requirement to
provide best value.
Wellsfield Farm will use local suppliers where appropriate and will encourage its suppliers to commit
to improving environmental performance.
Our staff
We recognise the responsibility staff have in contributing to good sustainable environmental
management. Wellsfield Farm will seek to harness and channel the enthusiasm and interest shown by
staff and will provide appropriate information and support to ensure that all staff exercise their
environmental responsibility.
Our visitors
Wellsfield Farm will encourage our visitors to cherish our environment so that it can be appreciated by
future generations. We will seek to raise awareness amongst our visitors of the impact that tourism
can have and what they can do to reduce their impact. There are many walks and trails for people to
explore the flora & fauna of Wellsfield Farm.
Our business partners
Wellsfield Farm will promote environmental good practice to its business partners, encouraging a
shared responsibility to protecting the environment that brings so many of our visitors.
Wellsfield Farm will incorporate the principles set out in this environmental policy into its day to day
operations developing appropriate:
- procedures for day-to-day operations
- annual targets
- action plans
This environmental policy and our targets will be reviewed annually.