Environmental Stewardship (ES)

Definition

Environmental Stewardship (ES) is a government-sponsored program promoting sustainable land management practices and conservation efforts. 

What is Environmental Stewardship?

ES is designed to encourage landowners, farmers, and other land managers to adopt practices that increase biodiversity, protect natural resources, and improve the overall environmental quality of rural areas. The program hopes to achieve these goals by motivating participants to implement measures that benefit wildlife, habitats, and landscapes while also delivering public goods and ecosystem services.

ES offers a range of options and agreements tailored to different types of land use, including agriculture, forestry, and upland management, and agreements typically last for several years, providing long-term support for environmental improvement projects. Participants in ES receive financial support in the form of annual payments, capital grants, and management support to help cover the costs of implementing conservation measures and maintaining environmentally beneficial practices. 

By promoting biodiversity and ecosystem resilience, ES helps to maintain healthy and productive landscapes that support both wildlife and human communities.

Additionally, ES includes monitoring and evaluation mechanisms to assess the effectiveness of conservation measures and measure progress towards environmental targets. Participants are required to submit annual reports on their activities and outcomes, and site inspections may be conducted to verify compliance with scheme requirements. This monitoring helps to ensure accountability and transparency in the use of public funds.

Example of Environmental Stewardship

Sarah registers in ES to increase biodiversity on her farm. She decides to plant native wildflower meadows and install bird nesting boxes throughout her property. In return for implementing these conservation measures, Sarah receives annual payments from the government to help cover the costs. Over time, Sarah observes an increase in bird and insect species diversity on her farm. Through her participation in ES, Sarah not only improve the ecological value of her land but also contributes to broader conservation efforts in her community.