Protected Landscapes – our National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty – are special and unique places.
They are living, working landscapes containing a huge range of wildlife habitats and species, and enjoyed by millions of people every year. By supporting the farmers, land managers and people who live and work in these areas, we can help protect these exceptional places and support local communities.
Farming in Protected Landscapes programme
To help do this, DEFRA is introducing a new grant scheme. The Farming in Protected Landscapes programme will run from July 2021 to March 2024, administered by the Isle of Wight AONB team.
Through the programme, farmers and land managers can be supported financially to carry out projects that encourage nature recovery, mitigate the impacts of climate change, provide opportunities for people to discover, enjoy and understand the landscape and cultural heritage, or support nature-friendly, sustainable farm businesses.
One-off projects
This is a programme of funding for one-off projects covering these areas of work, not an agri-environment scheme.
The programme is part of Defra’s Agricultural Transition Plan. It has been developed by Defra with the support of AONB and National Park staff from across the country. The programme’s National Framework document sets out the purpose and operation of the programme in more detail.
Grogan: Important role of farmers
Richard Grogan, Lead Officer for the Isle of Wight AONB said,
“The farming community has an important role in keeping the countryside of the Isle of Wight as an attractive, as well as a productive landscape.
“We are pleased to help support this initiative and invite farmers and landowners in the Isle of Wight AONB to consider applying.”
Biles: Look forward to receiving quality applications
Sam Biles, Farming and Landowning representative on the Isle of Wight AONB Steering Group said,
“Post-Brexit the financial support system in the UK is changing. Farmers and landowners are embracing ways of delivering benefits and maintaining farm incomes.
“The Farming in Protected Landscapes programme is an important way of doing this within the Island’s AONB and we are looking forward to receiving quality applications which will benefit both the farming community and the AONB.”
For more information see the IW AONB Website.
News shared by Joel on behalf of Isle of Wight AONB. Ed
Image: Leandra Bischofberger under CC BY 2.0
