Ogwell Parish Council Biodiversity Action Group
The Ogwell Parish Council Biodiversity Action Group supports the protection and enhancement of local biodiversity by working with residents, land managers and local organisations across the parish. The group focuses on raising awareness of biodiversity in everyday settings, encouraging practical actions that help wildlife, landscapes and ecosystems function more resiliently at a local level. Where appropriate, they support and involve the community in projects on parish land, such as tree planting, wildflower areas and habitat creation. Working in partnership with Ogwild and other organisations, the group aims to promote positive, achievable approaches to biodiversity that reflect the character, ecology and land use of the parish.
Hoof and Habitat Ltd
Hoof & Habitat provides evidence-led education for horse owners, yard managers and professionals who want to improve pasture health and horse welfare by working with ecological processes rather than against them. Through on-demand courses, practical tools and horse-safe seed mixes, Hoof & Habitat helps people understand soil function, forage diversity and grazing systems so they can restore tired paddocks, support biodiversity, and create more species-appropriate environments that support equine health, nutrition and natural foraging behaviour. Hoof & Habitat focuses on education and decision-making, and signposts learners to specialist consultants when site-specific support is needed.
Switch Equine
A Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM) Registered Practice specialising in regenerative, horse‑centred land‑management consultancy. They combine environmental science, land mapping and ethical horsemanship to restore soil health, rebuild biodiversity and improve horse welfare — all grounded in current research on grazing behaviour, pasture ecology and equine health. From track systems and conservation grazing to whole‑property design, Switch Equine creates nature‑led solutions that regenerate land and support healthier, happier horses.
Roots In: Ty Mawr Farm
Roots In combines technical knowledge, progressive mindset and years of in depth implementation to support and inspire regenerative farming. Their core mission is to scale regenerative farming by supporting others to grow in the practice through public engagement and private consultancy. Their involvement in several landscape recovery projects has enabled them to embed regenerative principles into strategic decision-making frameworks ensuring that prosperity, health, and ecological integrity are central to future land use.
What you'll learn
How soil works and what it does, as well as how compaction and overgrazing affect soil and plant growth
How nutrient cycling, water storage and carbon sequestration can improve with sustainable pastures and management
Realistic actions you can take to make positive change - and where to go for more information
Considerations that you might need to make for the local Ogwell area
Meet the speakers
Sian Constantine
BSc, UKCC Level 2, | Hoof and Habitat
An equine pasture and soil educator specialising in evidence-led approaches to horse welfare, forage systems and ecological land management. Sian helps horse owners and land managers understand how soil function, grazing pressure and plant diversity interact, so they can make informed, practical decisions that support both equine health and biodiversity. Through Hoof & Habitat, she delivers structured education via courses, resources and publications, and her work has been featured in leading equestrian magazines including Your Horse. Sian’s focus is on building understanding and confidence, and supporting owners to know when specialist, site-specific consultancy is needed.
Laura Hobbs
CEnv, MCIEEM, MRes, BSc | Switch Equine
A Chartered Environmentalist and equine land‑management specialist with postgraduate training in behavioural biology, working internationally with clients from Maryland (USA) to Devon and North Wales. She integrates environmental science, land mapping and ethical horsemanship to design regenerative grazing systems that strengthen both land health and horse welfare. Her practice is grounded in current research on pasture ecology, grazing behaviour and equine health, supported by ongoing CPD and engagement with internationally renowned researchers to ensure every design is evidence‑led and scientifically robust. She supports smallholdings, livery yards and conservation sites to create resilient, nature‑led, horse‑centred landscapes.
60min Talk with 30 min Q&A
Overgrazing, compaction and recovery: Why these limit biodiversity and resilience, and how relatively small management shifts can reduce pressure on both land and horses.