Field margin on a Ribena blackcurrant farm (credit Ribena)
The Wildlife Trusts work in partnership with Ribena and their blackcurrant growers to help wildlife by providing habitat in and around the blackcurrant fields used to grow fruit for Ribena. This includes planting trees and hedges, leaving field margins and providing nest boxes.
The Wildlife Trusts and Ribena – two iconic British brands working together for wildlife
The blackcurrant growers who supply Ribena manage around 4,000ha of the British countryside. Since 2004 the growers, The Wildlife Trusts and Ribena have worked in partnership to help wildlife by providing valuable habitat in and around the blackcurrant fields.
Wildlife-friendly blackcurrant farms
Each grower manages their blackcurrant fields to an outline plan which includes:
• Leaving hedgerows uncut every other year and limiting cutting regimes to the winter to avoid disrupting nesting birds
• Leaving field margins unmown providing habitat for insects and small mammals
• Providing nest boxes and planting new hedgerows
In 2008 each farm developed a locally appropriate plan specific to their farm. Ribena farmers have established or enhanced:
• 160 miles of hedgerows
• 340ha of grassland
• 42ha of pollen and nectar plantation
This demonstrable commitment to wildlife sensitive, commercially sustainable blackcurrant farming means that The Wildlife Trusts are happy to endorse Ribena. Look out for The Wildlife Trusts logo on bottles of Ribena!