News
New landscape investment to deliver local benefits for climate, nature, people and place
A 3-year Defra funded programme for farmers and land managers in Protected Landscapes (Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and National Parks) in England has been launched.
Here in the Shropshire Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), over £700,000 is available to distribute this financial year to projects linked to farming that can demonstrate benefits to climate, nature, people and place.
Phil Holden, AONB Partnership Manager, explains “We are supporting farmers and land managers to apply for grants to carry out projects in the Shropshire Hills AONB that support 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.”
The programme is open to farmers and land managers (including from the private, public and charity sector) with land within the Shropshire Hills AONB.
Protected Landscapes are living, working landscapes that also support a huge range of habitats and species, and they are enjoyed by millions of people every year.
James Williamson, Chair of the Shropshire Hills AONB Partnership adds “Our Protected Landscapes are special and need to be managed, enhanced and protected while also supporting the farmers and communities who work within them and the wider local economy.”
James continues, “This new programme of funding for one-off projects will enable us to work with farmers in the Shropshire Hills AONB to deliver bigger and better outcomes for the environment, for people and for the place.”
Farmers and land managers are being encouraged to look at project opportunities on their holdings and to get in touch with the Shropshire Hills AONB Partnership to discuss them.
Farming in Protected Landscapes Adviser, Alison Jones, will be able to offer advice, help with the development of projects and guide individuals through the application process.
To contact Alison Jones please email alison.m.jones@shropshire.gov.uk or telephone 01743 254745.
Further information is available on our website at
Farming in Protected Landscapes Programme
Published by Shropshire Hills National Landscape on (modified )