Department for The Environment, Food And Rural Affairs (South West)

National Tree Week which aims to encourage people to appreciate the key role trees play in the English landscape kicks off on Wednesday 23 November.

In the West, Folly Farm near Bishop Sutton in Somerset has been involved in effective tree preservation and maintenance.

The Avon Wildlife Trust has been working for over 15 years with funding from Defra's Countryside Stewardship Scheme (CSS) helping to bring new life to the land around the farm. CSS is administered throughout England by the Rural Development Service (RDS).

As well as being surrounded by rich woodland, Folly Farm works to preserve several veteran trees within fields and ancient hedgerows as well as restoring three ancient orchards, reintroducing woodland and maintaining old woodland.

From dense, varied woodland to striking, ancient in-field oaks, trees have great historical significance and enhance our environment by providing vital shelter, food and habitats for a wide range of wildlife.

Tim McGrath, Head of Nature Reserves at Folly Farm, explains:

"Defra's funding coupled with help and advice from advisers at the RDS has provided the incentive to maintain, replenish and restore the trees that have been on the land throughout history. Our main focus is preserving and reviving biodiversity in the landscape around the farm, CSS and Environmental Stewardship (ES) schemes fit in perfectly with what we are aiming to achieve."

The farm is also in the process of developing a new educational centre for environmental education, which will include information on trees and their preservation.

Roger Griffin, an adviser with the Rural Development Service in the South West, said:

Defra and RDS are committed to the preservation of trees, management of woodland boundaries and offer a range of funding for farmers and land managers. Previously under CSS, and now under ES, farmers and land managers can receive money in return for managing parts of their land such as hedgerows, in-field trees and pastures in a way which encourages biodiversity and protection of the landscape.

"ES has a range of funding options to suit all kinds of farming and land ownership, even on a smaller scale, that should ensure that trees are effectively managed as important ecological and historical features in the landscape of England".

Brian Maggs, who owns Knowle Farm in Compton Dando receives funding from Entry Level Stewardship (ELS), for preserving the area around his in-field trees, some of which are oaks dating back several hundred years. The management of these trees includes not interfering with the land under the canopy and letting fallen branches lie to encourage insects such as beetles.

"Some of the trees, particularly the older ones, are really impressive and we have always tried to look after them," said Brian. "This funding has encouraged us to go further and make a difference to the wildlife in the field. A little effort is already bringing great results."

RDS is working hard to increase the number of Entry Level Stewardship and Organic Entry Level Stewardship agreements. So far 1680 ELS agreements have been made in the South West representing 20% of the national total. This will bring over £4 million to the farmers and landowners in the South West during the next 12 months. Almost 30% of these new agreements include options which directly benefit trees and woodland edges and the wildlife associated with them.

Biodiversity Minister Jim Knight encouraged people to get involved in National Tree Week, saying:

"Trees are a fundamental part of what makes our countryside and city green spaces so important to us. They're a vital part of our landscape, providing homes and food for wild animals and birds and supporting entire ecosystems, as well as counteracting emissions and climate change and creating jobs.

"Half of us in England live within a few miles of a decent-sized woodland and. The government is investing more in our ancient and native woodlands, which means there will be even more opportunities for everyone to appreciate the diverse trees and forest landscapes we enjoy in this country.

"It's great to see so many people getting involved in National Tree Week, doing everything from planting seedlings in their back gardens and localparks to protecting and preserving trees that have been part of the landscape for centuries."

Notes to editors

1. The Countryside Stewardship Scheme (CSS) is one of the schemes which operate under the England Rural Development Programme (ERDP). The CSS is now closed to new applicants. The Scheme offers payments to existing agreement holders (farmers and land managers) to improve the natural beauty and diversity of the countryside. The scheme operates throughout England outside Environmentally Sensitive Areas. Countryside Stewardship currently has over 16,000 agreement holders.

2. Farmers receiving payment under the scheme have entered into a ten-year agreement and payments range from £20 to £555 per hectare depending on the type of land management agreed. The majority of payments are co-financed by the EU.

3. Management under Countryside Stewardship has been shown to benefit several previously declining bird species including Cirl Bunting, Stone Curlew and Grey Partridge. Over 1,300 miles of dry stone walls and over 19,000 miles of hedgerow have been restored, with over 38,000 miles of grass margins being established. Land under agreement currently totals over 531,000 hectares. Between 2000 and 2006, Defra has allocated £500m to the Scheme, with a target of bringing an additional half a million hectares into agreement.

4. In running the Countryside Stewardship Scheme, Defra works closely with partner organisations including the Countryside Agency, English Nature, English Heritage, the National Park Authorities, The Wildlife Trusts, The Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group and the RSPB.

5. CSS closed for new applications on 31 March 2004. It has been replaced by the Environmental Stewardship Scheme (ES). The new scheme is made up of three elements: Entry Level Stewardship (ELS), Organic Entry Level Stewardship (OELS) and Higher Level Stewardship (HLS). The primary objectives of the new scheme are to:

* Conserve wildlife (biodiversity)
* Maintain and enhance landscape quality and character
* Protect the historic environment
* Promote public access and understanding of the            
   countryside
* Natural resource protection.

6. The England Rural Development Programme (ERDP) provides a framework for the operation of 7 separate but integrated schemes which provide new opportunities to protect and improve the countryside, to develop sustainable enterprises and to help rural communities to thrive. The schemes (and a brief outline of their aims) are:

- Environmental Stewardship (a new scheme replacing the Countryside Stewardship, Environmentally Sensitive Areas and Organic Farming Schemes, which are now closed to new applicants). The scheme is designed to conserve England's countryside, securing widespread environmental benefits.
- Hill Farm Allowance (supporting sustainable farming in the English hills).
- English Woodland Grant Scheme (a new scheme replacing the Woodland Grant and Farm Woodland Premium Schemes, which are now closed to new applicants). The Scheme aims to sustain and increase the public benefits given by existing woodlands and to help create new woodlands to deliver additional public benefit.
- Energy Crops Scheme (encouraging renewable energy production).
- Rural Enterprise Scheme (supporting a diversified and enterprising rural economy).
- Vocational Training Scheme (improving occupational skills of farmers).
- Processing and Marketing Grant (improving agricultural processing and marketing infrastructure).

7. A total of £1.6 billion of EU and Government money is being made available under these schemes in England during the 7 years (2000 to 2006) of the Programme.

8. For more information on any of the schemes in the ERDP, contact your local Rural Development Service office or visit the Defra website at www.defra.gov.uk.

9. CSS is delivered by the Rural Development Service (RDS) which, with the administration of a multi-million pound grant budget, is the single largest organisation working for the benefit of rural areas in England. The Rural Development Service has multi-skilled teams of around 1,500 staff working in eight regions across England and works with rural partners and local people to achieve:

* Environmental enhancement
* Better conservation of wildlife and biodiversity
* Stronger rural economies and communities.

10. As part of Rural Strategy 2004, Defra has reviewed its funding streams for rural areas. The Department is committed to reducing the current range of schemes and programmes to a framework based around three major funds targeted to the three Departmental strategic priorities impacting on rural areas: environmental land management and natural resource protection; sustainable rural communities; and sustainable food and farming. This approach aims to achieve greater simplicity for customers and to improve value for money; it is being implemented progressively, with the final stage to be completed with the roll out of the next rural development programme (2007-2013). Further details of the funding streams review can be found at:

www.defra.gov.uk/rural/ruraldelivery/funding/default.htm
 
11. Following publication of the draft Natural Environment and Rural Communities Bill in February, English Nature, the Rural Development Service and the Countryside Agency's Landscape, Access and Recreation division are working towards integration as a single body: Natural England. It will work for people, places and nature with responsibility for enhancing biodiversity, landscapes and wildlife in rural, urban, coastal and marine areas; promoting access, recreation and public wellbeing, and contributing to the way natural resources are managed - so they can be enjoyed now and for future generations.

English Nature is the independent Government agency that champions the conservation of wildlife and geology throughout England.

The Rural Development Service is the largest deliverer of the England Rural Development Programme and a range of advisory and regulatory rural services. With the administration of a multi-million pound grant budget for schemes which support land management, rural businesses and rural communities, the Rural Development Service is the single largest organisation working for the benefit of rural areas in England.

The Countryside Agency's Landscape, Access and Recreation Division aims to help everyone respect, protect and enjoy the countryside - protecting natural landscapes; and encouraging access to, enjoyment of and sustainable management and use of the countryside.
Part of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
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