Farming in Protected Landscapes programme launches 1st July 2021

We are delighted to announce a new programme to support farmers and land managers in AONBs and National Parks, which will open on 1st July 2021.

The programme, which has been developed with the support of a group of AONB and National Park staff from across the country, is open to all farmers and land managers within an AONB or National Park in England, or the Norfolk Broads. It could also support activity on other land, where a project will benefit a Protected Landscape or its body’s objectives or partnership initiatives.

The programme will support farmers and land managers to carry out projects that:

• support nature recovery
• mitigate the impacts of climate change
• provide opportunities for people to discover, enjoy and understand the landscape and its cultural heritage
• support nature-friendly, sustainable farm businesses

For example, the programme might support:

• promoting connectivity between habitats
• replacing stiles with gates on public footpaths, to promote easier access
• conserving historic features on a farm, such as lime kilns or lead mining heritage
• supporting a locally branded food initiative that promotes the links between the product and the landscape in which it is produced
• action to reduce carbon emissions on a farm
• gathering data and evidence to help inform conservation and farming practice

There will be around £500,000 to support projects in the Dorset AONB until the end of March 2022 and it is expected the scheme will continue until March 2024.

The programme opens on 1st July 2021 and you can find more information about Farming in Protected Landscape programme in the Dorset AONB.