GAP was developed in 1997 to aid the development of conservation grazing, defined as “grazing that meets nature conservation objectives”. GAP is a UK-wide partnership network of practitioners and advisers from the nature conservation, agricultural and livestock sectors. 

 GAP runs a wide range of services including an enquiries service, a quarterly newsletter, information leaflets, various publications and advisory handbooks, an online discussion forum "Nibblers", training courses, regular workshops and field events and a biennial conference. GAP has also developed the Local Grazing Schemes concept, and supporting Local Grazing schemes is the backbone of our work on the ground. GAP does not itself own or manage any livestock or sites.

The GAP network is made up of nearly 1500 members plus 30 partner organisations and is open to anyone with an interest in conservation grazing. Our membership includes conservationists, farmers, policy makers, ecologists, academics and students. GAP believes that by working in partnership we can move towards environmentally, economically and socially sustainable grazing systems that will help to rejuvenate both the countryside and rural communities.