Environmental stewardship (England)

This article is about the agri-environment scheme in England. For the general concept, see Environmental stewardship.

Environmental Stewardship is an agri-environment scheme run by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in England which aims to secure widespread environmental benefits. It was formally launched on 18 March 2005, although the first agreements did not start until 1 August 2005.

If Environment Stewardship is taken up across large areas of the countryside it will help to:

  • Improve water quality and reduce soil erosion – by encouraging management which can help to meet these aims;
  • Improve conditions for farmland wildlife – including birds, mammals, butterflies and bees;
  • Maintain and enhance landscape character – by helping to maintain important features such as traditional field boundaries;
  • Protect the historic environment – including archaeological features and artefacts.

The scheme, which replaces the older Countryside Stewardship and Environmentally Sensitive Area schemes, is composed of two levels: the Entry Level Stewardship (ELS), Organic Entry Level Stewardship (OELS) for Organic farms, Upland Entry Level Stewardship (UELS) comprising the lower levels; and the Higher Level Stewardship (HLS) for the upper level.