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Oct 7, 2021

New Farming in Protected Landscapes Officer


Rob West has been appointed as the new Farming in Protected Landscape Officer for the North Wessex Downs AONB.

The Farming in Protected Landscapes programme is open to all farmers and land managers (including from the private, public and charity sectors) in or near the AONB. Other organisations and individuals can apply as long as they do this in collaboration with a farmer or land manager, or in support of a farmer or group of farmers.

This DEFRA funded programme runs from 2021 to 2024. The first application window is now open and will run until 31 January 2022.

The programme supports activity on any land within the North Wessex Downs AONB and most of the funding will be provided to projects within the AONB boundary. It can also support activity on other land where projects can demonstrate benefit to the North Wessex Downs, or the AONB Partnership’s objectives or partnership initiatives. 

Through the programme farmers and land managers can be supported to carry out projects that help nature recovery, mitigate the impacts of climate change, provide opportunities for people to discover, enjoy and understand the landscape and cultural heritage, and/or support nature-friendly, sustainable farm businesses. This is a programme of funding for one-off projects covering these areas of work, not an agri-environment scheme.

Rob has previously worked with Natural England providing advice to farmers and land managers on a range of schemes. The Landscape Trust looks forward to supporting Rob and the AONB team deliver this important programme.

For more information about the programme and to apply, please visit the North Wessex Downs AONB webpages.