Defra's Landscape Recovery Fund: round two now open

The second round of Defra's Landscape Recovery fund is now open for applications.

The initiative is aimed at promoting sustainable food production and conservation. With an allocation of £15 million for the second round of funding, this scheme provides an opportunity for UK farmers and land managers to contribute to the future of farming practices in the country.

Promoting environmental and social impact

The Landscape Recovery scheme builds on its previous success by selecting and supporting projects with significant environmental and social impact. Criteria such as value for money and suitability for the program are considered to ensure efficient use of funds.

Integrating food production

A notable aspect of this funding round is the inclusion of a new criterion: food production. Recognizing the importance of ensuring food security, the Landscape Recovery fund aims to foster sustainable farming practices alongside conservation efforts. By incorporating food production into project selection, Defra aims to ensure that initiatives contribute to long-term self-sufficiency.

Scale matters

The Landscape Recovery scheme emphasizes landscape-scale projects, with a minimum area requirement of 500 hectares. This approach allows for comprehensive initiatives that can have lasting results. Collaborative efforts among farmers and land managers enable the creation of thriving ecosystems, benefiting wildlife and agriculture simultaneously.

Real-world success stories

The success of the first round of funding demonstrates the effectiveness of the Landscape Recovery scheme. For example, the River Axe Landscape Recovery project on the Somerset and Dorset border brings together farmers to restore a stretch of the upper river. Through regenerative farming and extensive grazing, this project improves water quality by addressing pollution and sediments.

Another notable endeavour is the Three Dales project in Yorkshire, led by a consortium of farmers in partnership with the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust. Their goal is to restore a significant area of the western Yorkshire Dales uplands, contributing to biodiversity conservation and preserving natural heritage.

Looking ahead

The Landscape Recovery fund operates alongside two other initiatives - Countryside Stewardship and Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI). These programs signal a shift in the farming industry towards supporting sustainable practices aligned with environmental objectives.

The Landscape Recovery fund offers UK farmers and land managers an opportunity to contribute to sustainable agriculture and conservation. Through the Landscape Recovery scheme and other ELMS schemes, the government is hoping for a future where agriculture and nature can thrive together. Empowering farmers paves the way for a sustainable and resilient future for both our food systems and natural environment.

Find out more and apply here >