Natural England - Environmental Stewardship
Environmental Stewardship
Environmental Stewardship is an agri-environment scheme that provides funding to farmers and other land managers in England to deliver effective environmental management on your land.
For information and how to apply call 0300 060 0011, or contact your regional office.
Environmental Stewardship news
(19 July 2010) See our latest edition of Environmental Stewardship Update
, our regular newsletter for those involved in agri-environment schemes. This includes articles on capital work, Uplands ELS, latest facts and figures and trade shows.(5 July 2010) Defra is making changes to the way farmers are paid for protecting the environment after an EU audit of England's agri-environment schemes.
(5 July 2010)Payment rates for a number of capital items
in Higher Level Stewardship were increased on 1st July 2010 to bring them into line with the rates paid under Uplands ELS.(2 July 2010) See our new Step by step guide to Uplands ELS
(4 June 2010)Environmental Stewardship for agents is a new page on this website for agents who give advice on Environmental Stewardship to farmers and land managers.
(March 2010) Apply for ELS, including Uplands ELS, online. It's 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.
How does Environmental Stewardship work?
There are are three elements to Environmental Stewardship:
Entry Level Stewardship (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. ELS Handbook (3rd Edition)
Organic Entry Level Stewardship (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. OELS Handbook (3rd Edition)
Higher Level Stewardship (HLS) involves more complex types of management 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. HLS Handbook (3rd Edition)
Uplands Entry Level Stewardship (Uplands ELS) was launched in February 2010 to support hill farmers with payments for environmental management. This strand of Environmental Stewardship succeeds the Hill Farm Allowance. It is open to all farmers with land in Severely Disadvantaged Areas, regardless of the size of the holding. ELS Handbook (3rd Edition)
Where can I find out more?
For background information on Environmental Stewardship see Look after your land with Environmental Stewardship, and Look after your uplands with Environmental Stewardship.
For more information about Environmental Stewardship call 0300 060 0011, 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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