Latest round of Countryside Stewardship Facilitation Fund offers £2.5 million
The latest round of government funding for local environmental improvements has been announced, offering farmers and landowners in England the opportunity to bid for a share of £2.5 million.
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has published updated guidance on the Countryside Stewardship Facilitation Fund, which encourages groups of farmers and landowners collectively managing at least 500ha in England to work together to protect and enhance their local environment, in line with their local Countryside Stewardship priorities.
The funding allows facilitators to provide advice to groups of farmers and other land managers on activities such as restoring habitats for wildlife and improving biodiversity, creating woodland, improving air and water quality, or restoring historic environments.
The Fund is part of Defra's Countryside Stewardship scheme, one of the government’s Environmental Land Management Schemes (ELMS).
Farming Minister Mark Spencer MP said: "Coordinating action and working together has been shown to achieve greater environmental benefits than individual actions alone.
"I’m delighted to announce a further £2.5 million under our popular Countryside Stewardship Facilitation Fund to bring more farmers and landowners together to protect some of our most important habitats, from meadows to woodlands."
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