Defra fleshes out plans for Landscape Recovery pilot

Defra is looking for sites of between 500 to 5,000 “connected” hectares in England for its Landscape Recovery scheme this autumn and is inviting bids for the first wave of pilots for the project.  

Applications can be made by individual landowners or land managers, or collaborative groups, including individuals and organisations.

The ambition is to launch at least 10 pilot projects between 2022 and 2024, covering more than 20,000ha of wildlife-rich habitat.

Three online sessions are being held to give more detail about Defra’s plans for piloting the scheme.

Landscape Recovery is one of three initiatives that will make up the government’s Environmental Land Management (ELM) programme, sitting alongside the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) and Local Nature Recovery scheme.

The objective of the Landscape Recovery scheme will be to support the restoration and enhancement of natural ecosystems through long-term projects, delivered at a landscape scale, which will require changes in land use.

See also: 4 business structures for landscape-scale farmers projects

The intention is for the pilot projects to focus on two themes:

1. Recovering and restoring England’s threatened native species – birds and insects
2. Restoring England’s streams and rivers to improve water quality, biodiversity and adapt to climate change.

Projects that have received or are receiving funding from other government schemes will be eligible to apply, though applicants will not be paid twice for the same activity.

The three online sessions for more information about the scheme are being held on:

• Wed 18 August, 14:00 – 15:30
• Wed 25 August, 8:00 – 9.30
• Tues 7 September, 19:00 – 20:30