Another successful year for Farming in Protected Landscapes on Exmoor
Exmoor National Park Authority are delighted to announce another successful year of Farming in Protected Landscapes (FiPL) funding for projects across Exmoor.
The programme was started in July 2021, and initially envisaged as a three-year funding window to help support farmers throughout the agricultural transition following Brexit. However, the success of the programme across all protected landscapes in England (National Parks and National Landscapes – formerly known as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty) meant the funding was extended, with the most money allocated per landscape in the fourth year of the programme.
Vickie Sellick, FIPL Coordinator for Exmoor National Park Authority explains:
“For ENPA that was over £720,000 for delivery of projects that resulted in one or more of the 14 FiPL outcomes over the 4 FiPL themes of Climate, Nature, People and Place. Throughout the year Defra gave us opportunities to request more money for particular types of projects, including Historic Buildings and Access. We were able to successfully bid for an additional £485,000 bringing our total allocation to £1.2 million.
What's been delivered this year on Exmoor through FIPL funding?
- 5 historic buildings restored
- 130 educational visits to holdings on Exmoor
- 2 ponds restored
- 7 community organisations supported
- 1905 trees planted
- 753m of leat restoration
We’ve been able to support pond restoration, orchard creation, hedge laying and fencing, improvements to farm yards, community groups and community supported agriculture, meadow restoration, non-native invasive species control, access improvements, conserve and enhance landscape character through management of characteristic features like leats, historic building restoration, tree planting and many more projects, delivering on the ground improvements in nature and biodiversity, soil health, climate mitigation, engagement with volunteers, school children and improvements in the unique landscape character of Exmoor. We are thrilled that Defra have again extended the programme, meaning we can deliver another year of funding to benefit the environment, landscape and people of Exmoor.”
If you have a project idea that you think we might be able to help support, please visit our website for details of the programme or get in touch via our inbox conservation@exmoor-nationalpark.gov.uk