Aubourn Estate celebrates Landscape Recovery success.

In Spring 2024 Aubourn Estate along with neighbouring partners from Lincoln City and across the Witham Valley secured funding via DEFRA with a successful second round bid for a Landscape Recovery programme.  The two-year life of this scheme will soon culminate with our submission to DEFRA by summer 2026, which it is hoped will secure funding for a 30+year implementation agreement.  The project since 2024 has been pulling together the following:

•BIODIVERSITY: Baseline Surveys

•WATER: River Witham, Brant and Fleet Catchment Feasibility

•Woodland and Hedgerow Strategy

•Soil Carbon/Transition to Net Zero

•FINANCE: Business Modelling and Blended Finance•~6500ha of Lincolnshire between the City and Newark

•33 landowners and farmers

•Connecting habitats and species in the local landscape

•Creating nature corridors along the Witham and Brant rivers

•Wilder Doddington

•Restoring national and local wildlife sites

•Integrating food production, nature and climate friendly farming

•Working with nature to provide economic benefit the Lincoln & Witham Landscape Recovery Aubourn Estate is set to embark on our next vital phase of environmental stewardship having secured funding from the second round of the Landscape Recovery programme.

This historic Lincolnshire estate, along with its network of farmland, wetland, rivers and woodlands is part of the Lincoln and Witham Landscape Recovery, is now gearing up for its next era of growth.

What is landscape recovery?

The Landscape Recovery scheme is part of the Environmental Land Management (ELM) framework, alongside the Sustainable Farming Incentive and Countryside Stewardship. These schemes combine to ultimately aim to improve water quality, biodiversity, soil health, and climate resilience. However, they differ in some key ways: Landscape Recovery focuses on large-scale, long-term projects. It empowers farmers and land managers to co-design tailored agreements spanning over 500 hectares, contributing to the UK’s net zero and biodiversity targets outlined in the Net Zero Strategy and Environment Act 2021.

Collaborative environmental transformation

Aubourn Estate’s involvement showcases the impact of stakeholder partnerships. Launched in May 2023, the second round of the Landscape Recovery programme focuses on net zero carbon emissions, protected sites, and wildlife-rich habitats, building on the first round’s 22 successful projects that supported river restoration and species like water voles and otters.

Selected approved projects, like ours, enter a development phase with public funding, refining management plans, securing permits, engaging stakeholders, and setting up monitoring systems. This phase bridges planning to implementation, aiming for effective habitat restoration. A notable aspect is attracting private investment, combining public and private funding to boost both ecological and economic benefits. Projects can tap into markets for carbon sequestration and water quality improvements, fostering strong, lasting partnerships.

Lessons from the initial rounds are shaping future initiatives, with the first round’s high interest—51 applications for 15 slots—demonstrating readiness for collaborative, innovative approaches. The scheme emphasises inclusivity, valuing the involvement of tenant farmers and adapting based on feedback to enhance its reach and effectiveness.

Ploughing a path forward

As Landscape Recovery progresses, it will rely on collective learning and shared strategies to create lasting change. Successful projects will illustrate how mixed funding, partnerships, and co-designed plans can restore habitats, strengthen ecosystems, and support rural resilience.

Watch this space - we’ll update you with more information as our scheme develops.