We farm both the sea and the land here in Argyll, and the natural world, is the reality of our day-to-day lives. The world influences our long-term plans, aspirations for our children, and governs all aspects of our husbandry. If there were to be a local partnership, intent on drawing up a Local Biodiversity Plan, then local farmers, fishermen and the like need to become involved from the outset. Those who live and work on the land, its main custodians are all too frequently overlooked where rural issues are concerned.

We operate three farming businesses very different in type, but our overall approach to sustainability and working with nature is consistent. One is a shellfish farm in intertidal waters, established some 20 years ago. The quality of the environment and the diversity of plant and animal life is a prerequisite for its continuing existence. Another is a sprawling hill farm with slopes clad with native woodland and some 350 hectares soon to be designated as a Special Area of Conservation. There we farm blackface sheep, red deer and Highland cattle. Emphasis is on hardy native breeds, adapted to a wet and difficult farming environment. In contrast, the remaining farms have kinder ground. The coastal strip, comprising some 60 hectares, is part of an SSSI, and raised beaches form fertile fields, capable of growing cereals and finishing stock. Even here we are reverting to traditional breeds of sheep and cattle. Much of the natural history interest of Argyll is represented within the limits of these enterprises.

To some extent, current interest in biodiversity has validated husbandry methods practised for generations. Records tell us that a forester was employed on the estate in the mid-17th century to ensure sustainable use of timber. The same woods today, not exploited other than for wintering cattle, are a hugely important conservation resource. Transhumance was commonly practised well into the 19th century, and this method of grazing is again becoming important to our summering cattle, with demonstrable benefits to hill vegetation. Even in the sea we are picking up the echoes of past management. At the end of the 18th century, concern was expressed within the parish that local shellfish stocks were being overexploited, and steps had to be taken to regulate fishery which was essential as a means of feeding the local populace. Today, we are working towards stock enhancement through Several Orders - a legal approach to safeguarding stocks last attempted locally some 120 years ago.

At a time when rural industries, including tourism, are experiencing difficulties, we are well advised to seek simpler solutions than the capital-intensive enterprises many of us have become used to. We need to find answers to problems from within our sustainable resources. Perhaps our partnership can exert some influence in political spheres as well as environmental ones. Biodiversity is very holistic science.

In Fife, the Farming & Wildlife Advisory Group is now offering to help produce Farmland Bird BAPs at the individual farm level. These feature at least four BAP species which are either found on the farm or could be encouraged back to the farm. For instance, management guidelines are outlined for such birds as grey partridge, corn bunting, tree sparrow and linnet, with the Farmland Bird BAP highlighting each species' individual breeding, nesting and feeding requirements throughout the year.

• In Dumfries and Galloway, a training day was held on habitat and management needs of the pearl bordered fritillary butterfly (a local priority species). Farmers, advisers and agriculture department staff were invited to learn more about the species' requirements to help in drawing up, assessing, and carrying out farm conservation plans. The day was very successful and requests have been made for similar events covering other priority species.

• In Fife, the Ranger Service and the Farming & Wildlife Advisory Group will be running 'Biodiversity Priority Species Walks' to encourage farmers and landowners to manage land with particular species in mind (i.e. bats, water voles, red squirrels, etc.).

Agriculture is very important in Orkney. It is a main source of employment, and a large proportion of land in Orkney is farmed in one way or another. For this reason a working group of farmers and their representatives (the Farm BAP Group) was set up mid 1999, to involve them in the work of the LBAP. This group comprises Orkney representatives from NFUS, the Scottish Landowners' Federation, SERAD, the Farming & Wildlife Advisory Group, the Scottish Agricultural College, local farmers and the local BAP project officer. The group endorsed the LBAP process, and expressed commitment to maintaining and enhancing farmland biodiversity. Its main role is to review and comment on species and habitat action plans relevant to Orkney.

The group has already commented on the Orkney action plans for corncrake and redshank - two species for which farmland is vital. The group identified several useful management options to benefit these species without farmers having to change management practices significantly. It also made extensive comments on proposed prescriptions for the Rural Stewardship Scheme, and worked with the LBAP Steering Group to produce a list of 30 LBAP species and habitats for the scheme.

Capercaillie

In Badenoch & Strathspey, the Cairngorms Local Biodiversity Action Plan Partnership and the Farming & Wildlife Advisory Group are developing an exciting farmer-led initiative to save a number of declining species which rely on areas of upland arable production. In the first pilot study, 10 farmers and crofters grew small areas of spring grain (mainly oats) in fields adjacent to woodland. The aim was to provide additional food for seed-eating 'farmland' birds, such as the skylark, linnet, twite, yellowhammer, tree sparrow, corn bunting, reed bunting and grey partridge. However the other focus of the initiative was the capercaillie and the black grouse: national priorities under the UK BAP:

Until the 1970s, these species used to regularly feed on oat 'stooks' during winter, but this habitat has now all but disappeared. Some - especially the capercaillie and black grouse - used fields of standing oats and oat stooks to such an extent that local farmers and crofters once considered them agricultural pests! Today, these rare and remarkable birds face many problems, if the habitat can be recreated, the balance might be tipped back in their favour.

The immediate plan is to implement a pilot study in Badenoch & Strathspey, and link this with incentives under the Rural Stewardship Scheme to leave areas of cereal unharvested. If the project is successful, it might then be possible to broaden it to other areas of the Cairngorms, through mainstream agri-environment funding. If any sites are successful at drawing in black grouse and capercaillie, they may also be suitable to provide sensitive and appropriate viewing opportunities. Both species suffer disturbance during breeding seasons, providing sensitive facilities could give farmers and estates a modest extra source of income.

The objective of raising farmer awareness of biodiversity as a means of promoting national and local habitat and species priorities, was identified as a priority in the West Lothian LBAP. To encourage practical biodiversity projects the LBAP partnership introduced the Boundaries, Banks and Birds (BBB) grant scheme in 1998. Funded jointly by West Lothian Council and SNH, the initiative delivered over 20 farm-based projects during its first two years. Grants offer up to 100% of eligible costs, subject to a maximum of £3,000, for projects delivering gains in biodiversity management. Preference is given to projects which meet targets of the Rivers and Streams Habitat Action Plan - the first habitat plan to be adopted under the West Lothian LBAP. Grants are also intended to encourage good practice and support agri-environment grant applications with biodiversity targets as a strong element.