Landscape Scale Projects

What is the mechanism?

This mechanism involves landscape scale collaborations.

This could be estates, farms, conservation organisation owned and managed land, business and community owned and managed land, and a range of delivery partners.

For a landscape scale project there needs to be an overall vision for nature recovery for the area.

There could be a range of land uses and activities taking place in that area, but with the goal and overall function to provide a clear element of the nature recovery network in that area.

There could be a range of funding mechanisms to support this, for example the Natural England/DEFRA Landscape Recovery Pilots, the nature recovery strand of ELM, Biodiversity Net Gain offsetting, among many others.
Site location

Ideal areas for landscape scale projects are those which can support the delivery of the Lawton principles i.e. bigger (newly created/expanded) habitat, better quality habitat, and joined up connected habitat.

For example:
a. Sites that have the potential to buffer or expand core existing habitats. For example, connecting woodland blocks, buffering ancient woodland and species rich grassland creation.
b. Sites that can facilitate connectivity e.g. connecting woodland blocks, hedgerows etc.
c. Sites located in strategic areas identified as important for wildlife e.g. Biodiversity Opportunity Areas, People & Nature Network, forthcoming Local Nature Recovery Strategies.
Site size

There is no definite minimum of maximum size.

A landscape scale project will be expected to include multiple connected sites/land parcels.

This could be 100+ hectares.
Current land use

All except private gardens.

For landscape scale projects sites already designated for wildlife value i.e. SSSI, Local Wildlife Site would be expected to be part of the wider landscape scale area.
Landscape considerations

Landscape character and ecological context is central to landscape scale projects.

Any habitat created needs to be consistent with the landscape character in order to achieve the best outcomes for biodiversity.

The management approach should also work with soil conditions and the underlying geology.

The SDNPA has prepared guidance to summarise the different landscape character types, the actions that can be taken for nature or to be more nature friendly and the key sensitivities to consider in the area.
Land Management duration

Long-term.
Land Management options

There are a wide range of management options to restore / improve existing habitats or to create new habitat.

The management of the land for a landscape scale project would depend on the nature of the proposals and the landscape character.

A range of management and uses of the land is likely to be appropriate.