For farmers, land managers, and landowners in England, the idea of creating wetlands might seem like a daunting task. However, with the right guidance and resources, it can not only be achievable but also financially rewarding.
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Another eventful month has passed, one in which I believe we’re witnessing the formation of the natural capital market, with exciting announcements around Biodiversity Net Gain and updates to Countryside Stewardship. It’s also been a month marked by continual floods and flood warnings across the UK.
This month brings World Wetlands Day, especially poignant this year as awareness around the biodiversity crisis increases whilst flooding events worsen in severity and consistency. I sat down with Ian Wilkinson, director at FarmED, to discuss wetlands and natural flood management, and their integral role in farming with nature – and people – in mind.
The 12 February 2024 marks the formal launch of the much-awaited policy Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG), where a net 10% improvement in biodiversity becomes mandatory for major developers (residential developments with 10 or more dwellings), whether on-site, or by “purchasing” biodiversity credits from “off-site” providers. BNG will apply to small sites (9 dwellings or less) in April 2024, and for nationally significant infrastructure projects in 2025. It is hoped this policy will provide much-needed funding for land owners and managers to support improvements to the natural environment and ecological resilience.
Countryside Stewardship, administered by the Rural Payments Agency, is the flagship scheme for sustainable land management in England. It is designed to financially support farmers and landowners to implement measures that contribute to environmental conservation.
Wetlands are often overlooked and undervalued ecosystems, despite the pivotal role they play in sustaining life on Earth. They take many different forms across landscapes, from estuaries and peat bogs to marshes and floodplains.
February 2024 marks the long-awaited launch of Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG), marking a new opportunity for land managers.
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