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East of England

Breadcrumbs

A Monument to the natural environment

Today marks the launch of the biggest environmental agreement in the East region which will see monumental benefits for the natural environment.

The 9000 hectare (ha) Elveden Estate in Suffolk which is owned by Lord Iveagh, head of the Guinness family, has entered into an agreement with Natural England to manage 2000 ha of their land under the Higher Level Stewardship (HLS) scheme. It will provide continuing benefits for wildlife, landscape and archaeology.

Factor in an enthusiastic owner of the largest area of lowland heath in private ownership in the region, fantastic wildlife habitats alongside top quality agricultural production and you have a recipe for outstanding results for the natural environment.

Dwarf pug, maiden’s blush and tower mustard are just a few of the important and rare species that will benefit from this new partnership between Natural England the Elveden Estate.

Bill Nickson, from Natural England, said: “This HLS agreement will secure active management on a very large area of heathland, grassland and field margins, and will provide lasting benefits for the natural environment. I have had a working relationship with the Elveden Estate for 20 years, since the Environmentally Sensitive Area scheme started in 1988. It has always been a pleasure to work with such a dedicated and skilled group of staff, management and volunteers who actually make things happen where it matters, on the ground.”

The heathland, grassland and arable land provide habitat for a wide range of bird, mammal, plant and invertebrate species. The Estate holds more than 15% of the uk breeding population of stone-curlew, a rare bird that is very sensitive to disturbance by people. There is a very high population of brown hares, which are in serious decline in may parts of the country. A number of nationally scarce plants thrive on the sandy Breckland soils. There is also an astonishingly rich invertebrate fauna, including species with names such as drinker moth, dwarf pug moth and maiden’s blush moth.

To celebrate the start of the region’s biggest HLS agreement, estate owner Lord Iveagh, head of the Guinness family, will welcome Elveden Estate staff, volunteers and Natural England advisers in the shadow of the Elveden Monument. The event will take place at Weather Heath, a fine example of lowland heathland which is a habitat type that has suffered dramatic declines in some parts of the country.

Lord Iveagh will say: “ We are delighted to celebrate the formal advent of Environmental Stewardship at Elveden which effectively helps safeguard our precious habitats for years to come.”

In addition to the HLS agreement covering the management of 2000 ha of heathland, grassland and field margins. More than 5000 ha of arable farmland on the estate already benefits from a level of environmental protection and enhancement under Entry Level Stewardship.

Jim Rudderham, Forestry and Conservation Manager for the Estate, said: “We have been working on the nuts and bolts of this agreement for over a year, but today actually celebrates the conservation of very many people for over a century. This scheme is going to allow that effort to continue – as with all countryside issues, wildlife has to be managed and this agreement sets out how that management should go forward over the next ten years.”

The agreement will ensure continued management of 1400 ha of SSSI, helping to keep these sites in good condition.

NOTES TO EDITORS:

1. Media are invited to attend the launch at Elveden Monument, approximately 2 miles SW of Elveden village on the north side of the A11. The event will commence at approximately 11.00am and finish no later than 12.00 midday on Tuesday 6 May 2008.

There will be estate staff available on the day to direct traffic onto the site but please take particular care as this is a busy road.

Note: the event will be entirely outside, so please arrive with suitable clothing and footwear. Interviews and photo opportunities will be available on the day.

2. Natural England works for people, places and nature to conserve and enhance biodiversity, landscapes and wildlife in rural, urban, coastal and marine areas. We conserve and enhance the natural environment for its intrinsic value, the wellbeing and enjoyment of people, and the economic prosperity it brings.

3. Environmental Stewardship is composed of three tiers:

  • Entry Level Stewardship (ELS), a whole farm scheme which aims to encourage farmers and land managers across England to deliver simple but effective environmental management;
  • Organic Entry Level Stewardship (OELS), which is open to farmers who manage all or part of their land organically;
  • Higher Level Stewardship (HLS), which, when combined with ELS or OELS options, aims to deliver significant environmental benefits in high priority areas.

4. Environmental Stewardship builds on the very best practice already evident in British farming. In particular, it takes forward Defra's two flagship agri-environment schemes, Environmentally Sensitive Areas and Countryside Stewardship. The primary objectives of the new scheme are to:

  • Conserve wildlife (biodiversity);
  • Maintain and enhance landscape quality and character;
  • Protect the historic environment and natural resources;
  • Promote public access and understanding of the countryside and Natural resource protection.

For more information see: www.defra.gov.uk/erdp/schemes/es/default.htm

5. Environmental Stewardship (ES) is one of the Schemes, which operate under the England Rural Development Programme ERDP. The scheme replaced the Countryside Stewardship, Environmentally Sensitive Areas and Organic Farming Schemes, which are now closed to new applicants.

6. For further information please contact the Natural England East of England press office:

www.naturalengland.org.uk