The vast majority of floodplain along the Severn and Avon is farmland and the wet grassland habitats result from historic agricultural management.
It therefore follows that wetland habitat restoration on the extensive scale envisaged by the Partnership will depend upon generating widespread support and commitment of the farming community.
In engaging with the farming community SAVWP has focused on offering three key services:
- Viable economic incentives
- Realistic objectives
- Sound management guidance
The promotion of the Countryside Stewardship Scheme to farmers in the key wetland restoration zones has achieved significant gains in wet grassland re-creation.
CSS provides significant economic benefits for farm enterprises, achieving environmental and habitat benefits and providing a basis for developing further diversification initiatives such as tourism and quality food products.
The county Farming and Wildlife Advisory Groups (FWAGs) have been key partners in promoting awareness of the scheme and in preparing Countryside Stewardship Scheme (CSS) applications for farmers.
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| Location | Zone | Area under CSS Management (hectares) | Total CSS Area (ha) | |||
Pasture P1 |
Meadow H3 |
Arable Reversion R1 |
Raised Waterlevels GW |
|||
| Buryend Farm, Upton | 6 |
11.5 |
44.2 |
35.3 |
55.7 |
|
| Manor Farm, Longdon | 8 |
31 |
15 |
31 |
||
| Riversmead, Hempstead, Glos. | N/A |
28 |
28 |
28 |
||
11.5 |
28 |
75.2 |
78.3 |
114.7 |
||
Countryside Stewardship Agreements 2000-2004.
SAVWP’s development of wetland restoration through CSS agreements has proven highly successful with over 540ha of grazing marsh under restoration. This equates to over 5% of the UK Biodiversity Action Plan Target.
The CSS agreements will contribute over £4 million pounds to the rural economy.
| Area under CSS Management (hectares) | |||||||
| No. CSS Agreements | Pasture P1 | Meadow H3 | Arable Reversion R1 |
Raised Water levels GW |
Summer Fallow OS3 | Wet Woodland and Reedbeds | Total CSS Area (ha) |
| 79 | 468.20 | 645.80 | 709.80 | 541.10 | 21.40 | 5.7 | 1859.60 |
Countryside Stewardship provides significant economic benefits for farm enterprises that are achieving environmental and habitat improvements and can provide a basis for the development of further diversification initiatives such as the development of tourism and quality food products.
The following table outlines the income to farm businesses from CSS agreements promoted by the Partnership.