New RSPB conservation officer for Cumbria and the Yorkshire Dales.

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The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) regional team in the north of England has a new conservation officer for Cumbria and the Yorkshire Dales.

Tim Youngs is already well-known to many farmers in the area, having provided conservation advice to farmers and other land managers throughout Cumbria during four and a half years working for the Rural Development Service (RDS).

He brings a wealth of experience to the RSPB local team, particularly in the field of agricultural policy and farmland bird advisory work. Before joining the RSPB, he worked as a Countryside Stewardship Project Officer for the RDS in Cumbria. He has also worked north of the border and worked for four years with the Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group (FWAG) in central Scotland.

Tim, who is 33, is a keen birdwatcher and all-round naturalist and is an enthusiastic cyclist. He is married with two young children and lives near Penrith.

Tim said: "My new role will give me the opportunity to use my experience in farm conservation and knowledge of agri-environment schemes to bring about real benefits on the ground for priority bird species in Cumbria.

" The future direction of farming is very much a hot topic at the moment, and one of the main developments is sure to be the increasing emphasis on agriculture that produces environmental benefits. In Cumbria, the RSPB is already involved in some important and innovative projects advising and supporting farmers and I'm particularly looking forward to building on these partnership initiatives."

Tim, who will be working from his mid-Cumbria home/office, is already focusing on the top bird conservation issues in the area as part of his new job.

Andy Bunten, RSPB Regional Director, added: "Tim has joined at an important time for us as we strengthen local partnerships and continue with our programme of work to safeguard the priority sites and species in the north of England. He brings a wealth of local knowledge and practical experience to the RSPB."

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