Farmers hoping to choose the best Entry Level Stewardship (ELS) options for their farms can now do so with the a series of colour-coded maps. Launched by Natural England, the regional maps highlight priorities for conservation targets involving farmland birds, wildlife, cleaner water and healthier soil (see graphic for examples).
An accompanying set of tables lists details of priority archaeological sites. Colour coding meant farmers could easily identify the priorities on their land, said Natural England executive director, Jim Smyllie.
The maps were part of an online package for advisers and farmers to use when discussing options for environmental stewardship and uplands ELS agreements. “These maps are a simple but effective way of showing what options will have the biggest conservation impact on any particular area of the country.
By guiding new agreement holders to the best options for their land, these maps can make ELS work harder for the environment.” Focusing options on land where they would achieve the best results would make ELS more rewarding for farmers, more effective and make a significant contribution to the Campaign for the Farmed Environment, said Mr Smyllie.
Double page spread in the 25 March 2011 issue of Farmers Weekly
Click on the regions and follow the links within the text to find key targets for your area.