Natural England - Environmental Stewardship

Environmental Stewardship

Environmental Stewardship is an agri-environment scheme that provides funding to farmers and other land managers in England who deliver effective environmental management on their land.

ELS and Uplands ELS - apply online today. Win 2 tickets plus an overnight stay at the Farmers Weekly Awards

For information and how to apply in your area, contact your regional office.

Latest

  • (March 2010) Apply for ELS, including Uplands ELS, online, its quicker and easier (click the banner above for more details). Every online application will be entered into our prize draw for a chance to win a pair of tickets and overnight stay at this year’s Farmers Weekly Awards.

  • (12 February 2010) New guidance on common land or shared grazing and Uplands ELS pdf document has been published. The guidance supplements that available in the new 3rd Edition ELS and OELS handbooks and takes precedence where there is any inconsistency.

  • (11 February 2010) A new edition of Environmental Stewardship Update, our regular newsletter for those engaged in agri-environment schemes, has been published. 

  • (9 February 2010) Uplands ELS was launched today by Defra Minister, Huw Irranca Davies, and Natural England's Chair, Poul Christensen, on a farm in the Peak District. Application packs will be sent out from today. Applications need to be returned by 1st May for an Uplands (O)ELS agreement to start on 1st July. For more information, attend one of our Uplands events or see our publication Look after your uplands with Environmental Stewardship.

  • (29 January 2010) An important upgrade to mapping data on the Rural Land Register took place in January 2010 and this has implications for the maps used in finalising ES agreements. To assist ES customers we have prepared a Q&A that answers General mapping update queries.

  • (18 January 2010) A series of four leaflets is now available to show how to make the most of Entry Level Stewardship options for farmland birds, farm wildlife, cleaner water, healthier soil and the historic environment.  Produced by Natural England, in conjunction with the Campaign for the Farmed Environment and a number of partner organisations, the leaflets are aimed at farmers joining ELS or renewing existing agreements. They are available from our publications catalogue. 

What are the aims of Environmental Stewardship?

The primary objectives of Environmental Stewardship are 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 natural resources.

The secondary objectives of Environmental Stewardship are:

  • genetic conservation
  • flood management.

There are three elements to Environmental Stewardship:

  • Entry Level Stewardship (ELS) including Uplands ELS, provides a straightforward approach to supporting the good stewardship of the countryside. This is done through simple and effective land management that goes beyond the Single Payment Scheme requirement to maintain land in good agricultural and environmental condition. It is open to all farmers and landowners.

  • Organic Entry Level Stewardship (OELS) including Uplands OELS, is the organic strand of ELS. It is geared to organic and organic/conventional mixed farming systems and is open to all farmers not receiving Organic Farming Scheme aid.

  • Higher Level Stewardship (HLS) involves more complex types of management, where land managers need advice and support, and agreements are tailored to local circumstances. HLS applications will be assessed against specific local targets and agreements will be offered where they meet these targets and represent good value for money.

Further information

Background information on Environmental Stewardship can be found in Look after your land with Environmental Stewardship.

For more information about Environmental Stewardship, contact your regional office or go to an event in your area for farmers and land managers.

Environmental Stewardship builds on the recognised success of the Environmentally Sensitive Areas Scheme and the Countryside Stewardship Scheme.

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