APPLICATIONS SOUGHT FOR FARMLAND WILDLIFE RESEARCH GRANTS

Dick Potts - inspirational farmer-scientist and birdwatcher

GRANT applications are  being sought  towards small projects aimed at enhancing wildlife on farms.

The awards will come out of a £14,500 legacy fund established in memory of inspirational farmer, scientist and birdwatcher Dick Potts who died  on March 30 this year.

Dick was at the forefront of work that identified how agro-chemicals were responsible for the decline of many farmland bird species. He was an authority on the grey partridge.

The fund is being administered by the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust of which Dick was former director-general.

Ecologists, farmers, gamekeepers and land managers can all apply to receive grants from the Dick Potts  Fund which aims to  cover the expenses of small projects covering such things as farmland wildlife research, investigating flora and associated habitats, purchasing research supplies and equipment, travel, software and attendance at conferences.

.Julie Ewald, head of geographical information science at the GWCT, comments: "Dick  was innovative in how he would arrive at the solution to a problem, often devising small experiments or ways of analysing data that showed the best way forward.

“What we are looking for is similar projects that seek to advance the field of applied wildlife ecology, based on the hunch of those involved in hands-on conservation work.  They should be well thought out and address a recognised problem in conservation.  

 "We look forward to reading applications and deciding on which ones to support with funds from the Dick Potts Legacy Fund."

 Julie added: “It is thanks to the generosity of friends, family and former colleagues of Dick that we are able to offer this opportunity and we would like to thank everyone for their kind donations.

“The plan is to keep the fund going into the future so any further donations will be gratefully received.”

Before the closing date of October 31, 2017, applicants should email the following details to: dickpottsfund@gwct.org.uk:

• Name
• Address
• Email
• Phone
• Your Curriculum Vitae and the names and email addresses of two referees
• Please provide  information below, including, in no more than 2500 words:

 a) Project Overview. Explain why you are applying for an award; what is innovative and practical about the work you propose to do and how it will advance our knowledge of Farmland Ecology.
b) Experiment Specifications. Set out details of your proposed experiment design including costings, timescale, sample sizes, site of the work and details of any access permission where appropriate. If you are in receipt of any other funding please attach details.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to present their proposals to the committee at the GWCT headquarters in Fordingbridge, via Skype.

* More details at https://www.gwct.org.uk/