The smallest mammals in our landscapes are among the most important to healthy landscapes, but their numbers are declining and they are commonly considered to be pests. We will create a national network of small mammal champions to ensure a bright future for our mice, voles and shrews.
Categories
Beneficiaries
Mice, voles and shrews play a vital role in maintaining healthy and balanced wild, agricultural and urban landscapes. They cycle nutrients and aerate soil, leading to improved soil quality, better drainage and the creation of suitable sites for seed germination. They spread seeds, fungal spores and pollen, and keep populations of insects in balance. However small mammals are under-monitored and overlooked in land management strategies, and they now face pressure from a range of threats.
We will run a national programme to support and protect small mammals, raising awareness of their importance to ensure they are better understood and protected in all kinds of landscapes. We will undertake research to inform conservation and land management strategies, and train and equip local volunteer groups to monitor and protect local small mammal populations, ensuring these wonderful animals can continue to strengthen UK landscapes into the future.
