There are thousands of fruit varieties to be found in our orchards; Green Custard, Polly White Hair, Kirke’s Blue, Hoary Morning, Jargonelle, Lady’s Finger and High View Pippin are just a few. Orchards often contain diverse unimproved grassland, peppered with anthills and wildflowers. Rare invertebrates such as the Noble Chafer beetle can be found in the hollows of old veterans, while others such as the Mistletoe Bug and Mistletoe Marble Moth are orchard specialists, relying on mistletoe to complete their life cycles. Spotted flycatchers, Mistle Thrushes and Woodpeckers benefit from the feeding and nesting sites that traditional orchards provide. Orchards sustain continuity in the landscape and local distinctiveness giving us dynamic ‘orchardscapes’ full of wildlife and genetic diversity that have been around for hundreds of years. In November 2007, traditional orchards became a UK Biodiversity Action Plan priority habitat. Aim This project started in October 2008 and will run to March 2011 and will be co-ordinated by Orchard Officer, Kate Merry. The aim of this project is to help halt the decline of traditional orchards in England through a programme of conservation, restoration, creation, training and education. Outcomes We will carry out at least 25 surveys to evaluate the condition of our orchards and to asses the fruit varieties and wildlife diversity. A key part of this activity will be to train 25 people to be able to undertake these surveys in the future, thus helping to continue this work post 2011. This work will also identify other priority species that can be found within orchards and ensure that any restoration work will be sensitive to their needs. We will deliver at least 10 orchard restoration or creation projects that will support local fruit varieties, wildlife habitats and will engage the local community. In association with this we will provide training workshops to equip local stakeholders with the necessary skills to help sustain the future of traditional orchards. We will hold public events (working closely with partners such as Common Ground) to explain the function of traditional orchards in a changing climate (as carbon stores in their undisturbed soils) and to demonstrate their contribution to sustainable land management. We will also highlight their significance for biodiversity and benefits to the local community. We will also publicise the many benefits of traditional orchards in national and local media. We will develop marketing strategies for selling orchard produce such as cider, perry, juices and jams. This will maintain and enhance the financial viability of traditional orchards and forge links with local businesses. We will establish a traditional orchards website for England to act as a ‘one stop shop’ for advice, guidance and funding information. Funding The total project cost for the three years is £536,000 of which we have been awarded £268,000 from Natural England Countdown 2010 Biodiversity Action Fund – we are now required to find match funding for this grant. The National Trust has committed £215,000 and we have managed to raise £240,500 which leaves a shortfall of just £28,500.