Contak seeks to do this by running a service which facilitates the availability and use of specialist machines, tools and equipment likely to be required by land managers engaged in nature conservation work and environmentally sensitive agricultural operations.
The rationale for this type of service is a development of the co-operative approach to machinery purchase and hire that many agricultural machinery rings operate under. It is hoped that by making available, and promoting, details of surplus resources (machines, equipment, tools and labour) both provider and user will benefit financially. The owner, or provider, will earn income to help cover the cost of purchase, upkeep and depreciation; and the user can access specialist resources without having to consider capital outlay.
The Common Agricultural Policy and agri-environment scheme reforms that are coming in over the next few years will also bring many more land managers into environmental management work. contak is a new, ambitious but logical extension of the conservation community's newfound togetherness.
Providing benefits to all parties as described above and generating contak activity will ultimately serve to improve nature conservation by delivering a practical management tool for use by anyone interested in managing land for nature conservation purposes. In one sense, the conservation world is getting smaller. More and more organisations, increased funding, better communications and participation in Biodiversity Action Plans (BAPs) and work to achieve the favourable condition of Sites of Special Scientific Interest have all played a part in bringing us together to work more effectively for the common good of wildlife.