Environmental Stewardship programmes
Environmental Stewardship provides funding to farmers and other land managers in England to help them deliver effective environmental management on their land. Its primary objectives are to: conserve wildlife; maintain and enhance landscape quality and character; protect the historic environment; promote public access and understanding of the countryside; and protect natural resources. Secondary objectives are genetic conservation and flood management. In meeting these objectives, Environmental Stewardship supports the adaptation of the natural environment to climate change and enhances the contribution of agriculture and land management to climate change mitigation.
The Environmental Stewardship Evidence Programme is managed jointly between Defra and Natural England, with the specific remit of ensuring that sufficient evidence is gathered to:
evaluate the delivery and the effectiveness of Environmental Stewardship in achieving environmental outcomes;
inform current and future agri-environment policy and scheme development;
fulfil domestic and European reporting requirements.
The Defra/Natural England Liaison Group agrees the priorities and the balance between research, monitoring and evaluation.
