The event, titled Landscape Recovery: Hype or Hope? sparked lively debate on whether this ambitious government initiative can deliver for both nature and farming.
Landscape Recovery is designed for large-scale projects that restore ecosystems, improve water quality, and create climate-resilient landscapes. Unlike smaller schemes, it encourages collaboration across multiple landholdings and aims to integrate farming with nature recovery.
WaLOR: A pilot leading the way
The talk came from Dan Wade, Wilder Landscapes Innovation Manager at Suffolk Wildlife Trust, who presented the Waveney and Little Ouse Headwaters Recovery (WaLOR) project. WaLOR is one of DEFRA’s pilot schemes (find out more about this here) and involves 17 landowners working together to:
- Reduce pollution and nutrient runoff
- Reconnect broken habitats
- Lower flood risk through natural water storage
- Restore rivers by re-meandering channels and mending the damage in the landscape caused by straightening rivers
Dan shared a striking film of the Waveney Valley during a flood event, showing the river’s original meandering path imprinted on the land, a reminder of why restoring natural processes matters. He also identified one of WaLOR’s boldest interventions: moving a road for nature, an example of what is possible at the landscape scale projects.
Panel discussion: lessons for future projects
A panel chaired by Helen Bynum included experts Charlotte Palmer (West Norfolk Nature Network), Richard Evans (Brecks Nature), Tansy Cooper (Environment Agency), and Dan Wade (Suffolk Wildlife Trust). They discussed practical challenges and opportunities in integrating farming with conservation.
One key issue was the daunting task of starting these initiatives, with panellists noting that advice is available from ENGOs, government bodies, and farm cluster networks.
The discussion also highlighted the value of data in landscape recovery (LR), which could be used to inform national policy as well as individual ecological improvements and farm business planning. Baseline measurement not only helps track progress in landscape-scale recovery, but adds to scientific research and the pool of information from which policy is created.
Additionally, the panel focused on the need for resilience in farming practices to adapt to climate change and extreme weather events while maintaining productivity.
Concerns were raised about break clauses in agreements with DEFRA, as their ability to terminate partnerships could undermine long-term stability. The panel concluded that private finance markets will be essential for ensuring the security of these environmental initiatives.
Other pilots and what they offer
Charlotte Palmer highlighted the West Norfolk Nature Network, a farmer-led project that combines regenerative farming with habitat restoration. Extensive monitoring is underway to measure impacts, providing data that could shape future policy.
Richard Evans represented the Brecks Nature is a farmer-led Landscape Recovery pilot in the Breckland, working with over 30 landowners to restore chalk streams, river valleys, and rare Breckland habitats while integrating regenerative farming. The project aims to create connected ecosystems, improve water quality, and secure long-term resilience.
In Suffolk, two official DEFRA pilots are running, both hosted by Suffolk Wildlife Trust, WALOR and Connecting Constable and Gainsborough Country (CCGC). CCGC supports nature and food production in South Suffolk and the Stour Valley, restoring and reconnecting habitats, and supporting sustainable farming practices at scale.
