Peakland Environmental Farmers (PEF) is delighted to announce that it has been awarded funding through the Farming in Protected Landscapes (FiPL) programme to support the development of a farmer-led, landscape-scale vision for environmental recovery across the Dark Peak and South West Peak.
This new project, led by a core group of members covering around 10,000 hectares, will involve partners including the Peak District National Park Authority, Natural England, the Environment Agency, Yorkshire Water, and the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust, to explore how farmers can lead environmental delivery at scale, aligning with national priorities such as the Environmental Improvement Plan, the PDNP Management Plan, and the Government’s “30 by 30” targets, amongst others.
The project will start with scoping and contextual analysis of national and local environmental plans to develop a Farmer’s Guide to national and local environmental targets. PEF will then create individual farm plans for participating farms, aggregating these plans to identify landscape-scale priorities. By early 2025, the project will produce a collaboratively developed “Farmers’ Vision for Landscape Recovery” which will be a blueprint for how the Peak District’s farming community can work together to achieve lasting environmental outcomes.
When asked about the project, Tom Noel, Chairman of PEF, said that “healthy peat moorlands with thriving wildlife matter a great deal to farmers whose families have been shaping the Peak District landscape for hundreds of years. Almost all of our members have been involved in environmental schemes for nearly 40 years, have learnt much, and have more to offer. After years of national and local political chaos and ideology, this gives us a small window to demonstrate what we can achieve for the public good with common sense and a deep knowledge of our own land.”
NCA will support project oversight and continue to advise on green finance opportunities to strengthen the project’s long-term impact and sustainability. This collaborative project reflects the strength of farmer networks and expert partnerships in delivering practical, on-the-ground solutions to climate resilience and nature recovery across the Peak District.
