Perhaps the role of environmental stewardship could be mentioned in the supportive text of this policy. Environmental Stewardship is an agri-environment scheme that provides funding to farmers and other land managers in England to deliver effective environmental management on their land.
Funding and advice through Environmental Stewardship is helping land managers to conserve, enhance and promote the countryside by:
■ looking after wildlife, species and their many habitats;
■ ensuring land is well managed and retains its traditional character;
■ protecting historic features and natural resources;
■ ensuring traditional livestock and crops are conserved; and
■ providing opportunities for people to visit and learn about the countryside.
Underlying these benefits, Environmental Stewardship is helping the natural environment to adapt to climate change, for example, by reducing greenhouse gas emissions, providing and protecting carbon storage, and helping to manage flooding.
These agri-environment schemes provide crucial financial support to help landowners in the sustainable management of their land both within the designated sites and outside. There are a substantial number of agreements in the Rother areas, around 40 - 50 agri-environment schemes, across the wider area of Romney Marsh, Walland Marsh, Pett Levels and Brede Valley alone. A core element of Natural England‟s work is setting up new schemes