Countryside Stewardship Scheme

The Countryside Stewardship Scheme is a UK government program that provides financial support to landowners and farmers to manage their land in environmentally beneficial ways. It encourages practices like planting trees, maintaining hedgerows, and creating habitats for wildlife, helping to boost biodiversity, improve water quality, and protect natural landscapes. Participants agree to follow specific management plans and in return receive payments that compensate for the costs and effort involved. The scheme promotes sustainable land use that balances agricultural productivity with environmental conservation, contributing to healthier ecosystems and a more resilient countryside.