Environmental Stewardship

Environmental Stewardship (ES) was replaced by Countryside Stewardship (CS) in 2015. This page is awaiting update.

Environmental Stewardship an agri-environment scheme which provides funding to farmers and other land managers in England who deliver effective environmental management on their land.

GOV.UK: Environmental Stewardship: guidance and forms for agreement holders

Not all historic features are yet shown on environmental maps used for Entry Level Stewardship.

Contact us to see whether we have records of Historic Features on your land that could help you make the most of Stewardship schemes:

  • Talking to farmersArchaeological and historic features score points towards a target for entry.
  • Payments can be claimed by selecting suitable management options to protect archaeology.
  • Positive management for upstanding earthwork remains includes controlling scrub and grazing.
  • Arable reversion to permanent pasture will help protect below-ground archaeology.

There are also options to maintain traditional farm buildings, traditional orchards and boundaries.

More complex capital works projects are sometimes funded through Higher Level Stewardship, for example restoration of mine buildings, interpretation panels and parkland management plans.

Farming for the Historic Landscape: Make the most of Environmental Stewardship

Illustrated guide to managing historic environment features