Building on the Environmental Land Management Landscape Recovery Test and Trial phases 1-2, the Collaboration for Climate Change Action funded by the Farming in the Protected Landscapes (FiPL) aims to produce a baseline habitat map for all the farmers using UK Habitat Classification, in line with Cotswold’s AONB Landscape Character and Guidelines. 

The mapping aims to place farmland within its broader landscape or catchment context. The reason for this is to map the state of habitats across the watercourse and report on how they could be improved help to improve ecosystem services. Opportunities for capital works, nature recovery will be recorded for them to keep/take forward for future investment opportunities. 

By improving ecosystem services, farmers will be able to explore further funding within the Upper Thames Catchment Partnership and possibly in the very near future through your local authority. The main point of interest for future funders is knowing your baseline, where your starting point is on ecosystem recovery. The map FWAGSW have produced in the Land App will provide this specific data for you and will be your evidence going forward.

Summary of action plan

• Develop a consistent method for collecting on-farm data to produce natural capital maps, which will inform Local Nature Recovery Strategies.
• Collaborate with Land App, Ordnance Survey, Rothamstead, and CEH to streamline remote farm data collection.
• Investigate tools that enable farmers to establish an environmental baseline, aiming for a sustainability standard for mixed finance using the Global Farm Metric.
• Partner with the Gloucestershire Local Nature Partnership and specialist contractors to enhance Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) and blended finance opportunities. Aim to keep the county’s natural capital map updated with dynamic on-farm data.
• Standardize natural capital mapping to track the sustainability of goods and services from the Cotswold Landscape.

 

This will enable the actual delivery of the following landscape wide and on farm actions

• Hedge planting and restoration for green corridors and connectivity of habitats across holdings
• Appropriate tree planting to expand on ancient and semi ancient woodland, trees outside of woodlands and trees in hedgerows.
• Restoration of species rich grassland and other priority habitats such as traditional orchards
• Increased biodiversity through improved pollinator species to extend the season.
• Re-localisation of food supply chains
• Involving people in the countryside for health and wellbeing through volunteering
• Restoring historic boundaries such as dry-stone walls and historic features
• Restoring access routes and creating opportunities for rural skills and careers through skills and training. 

 

Future opportunities presented by the CCCA for landscape-scale social, economic and environmental restoration

• Empower the farming community to jointly tap into investment opportunities for enhancing biodiversity, capturing carbon, and mitigating flood and drought risks.
• Foster community ties to promote localized, climate-resilient sources of food, water, and energy.
• Encourage landowners to provide community spaces for farming, recreation, and nature access.
• Assist farmers in diversifying their practices, focusing on local markets and adding value.
• Advocate for reintroducing grass-fed livestock into farming, prioritizing soil health and reduced cultivation.
• Connect farmers with expert advisors attuned to local opportunities, linking them to relevant partnerships and potential funding sources.
• Highlight the pivotal role of advisors in maximizing holistic investments to address climate challenges, collaborating with various local entities across sectors.