Abvan Farm.

Investing in connection and care for the future.

At Abvan Farm, Kathryn and Leo Van den Beuken have reshaped their landscape with a view beyond the farm gate, balancing productivity with biodiversity and resilience. With support from the Environmental Management Fund and a significant personal investment, they undertook a 1.7-kilometre native planting along a rural road, replacing an aging pine Shelterbelt with a diverse native corridor.

Already, the change is noticeable to those who pass by. The new planting provides shelter for stock, reduces wind chill and offers a safer passage for both wildlife and people by reducing winter shading and frost along the roadside. It’s a tangible example of how farmer-led planting can strengthen both the land and the wider catchment for years to come.

Building resilience and biodiversity.

Designed in collaboration with Brailsfords, the project followed a two-stage landscaping plan to support successful plant establishment in the existing stump zone left by the removed pines. Resilient native species were selected for their ability to strengthen biodiversity while integrating seamlessly into farm operations. Protective fencing was also installed to safeguard young plants, ensuring long-term establishment.

These Shelterbelts now provide habitat for birds, pollinators and beneficial insects, while reducing wind exposure, stabilising the soil and supporting better stock welfare.

With expert guidance, targeted funding and a strong commitment to sustainability, the Van den Beukens have established a carbon-positive ecological corridor that benefits both their farm and the wider community. The planting supports biodiversity, reduces wind speeds and enhances both farm operations and wildlife habitat.

Over time, the Shelterbelt will increase habitat connectivity, act as seed dispersal routes for at-risk native plants and support essential pollinators such as bees, wasps and butterflies. By preventing the spread of wilding pine, reducing fire risk and stabilising the landscape, the corridor brings environmental gains to the local area.

Key Outcomes.

• Established native corridor linking habitats and supporting biodiversity.
• Improved stock welfare through natural shelter and reduced wind exposure.
• Long-term landscape stability through fire risk mitigation and weed control.