Environmental Stewardship
What is it about?
Modern farming techniques have long been linked to the widespread decline of farmland wildlife and landscape across the country. Environmental Stewardship (ES) is a nationwide agri-environment scheme set up to help address this.
Using national and European funding, it aims to:
- conserve wildlife (biodiversity)
- maintain and enhance landscape quality and character
- protect the historic environment and natural resources
- promote public access and understanding of the countryside
- protect our natural resources.
Administered by Natural England, the scheme is composed of two levels - the Entry Level Scheme (ELS), and the Higher Level Scheme (HLS).
Who can apply?
Primarily the schemes are part of a Europe-wide shift in farming support to channel more money into achieving effective environmental management in the countryside. This means farmers can now receive payments for land dedicated to wildlife rather than for crop production. However, the scheme is also available to other landowners such as local authorities, wildlife trusts and the RSPB.
Anyone who owns a farm or manages land can apply to join the schemes by contacting the appropriate regional office at Natural England by letter or phone.
How CMS can help
CMS work with a number of land managers each year in the county to develop applications to the ES scheme. We offer a free service that is targeted towards maximising the opportunities available to each land holding.
Since 2005, the Countryside Management Service, supported by the Biological Records Centre and the Historic Environment Unit, have worked on ELS and HLS applications with many landowners, farmers and local authorities in the county. To date we have successfully brought in over £6million of funding for land covering over 7000 hectares of the county! Further applications worth an estimated £2.25 million are in the pipeline, with several more applications awaiting our support.
Much of the 7,000ha of countryside covered by these schemes is close to towns, including Letchworth, Hitchin, Stevenage, Hertford, Luton and Harlow. By working with private landowners to influence sustainable farming practices, enhance the environment on a landscape scale, and help the rural economy, we can contribute to a more robust countryside that can better cope with growing population, demands and expectations.
For more information about both the Entry Level and Higher Level schemes please visit the Natural England website or call their enquiry line on 0845 600 3078.
Read what Jon Birchall at Pilkington Farms has to say.
To find out more about how CMS can help you with your HLS application, please Contact us.