In early March 2021 we held a full partnership meeting to discuss the draft LNP strategy 2021-24. Presentations were given by various Board members on the 4 strategic themes (Nature Recovery, Climate Resilience, Green Growth and Naturally Healthy) and there was lively discussion around a number of specific elements: - the threats surrounding the agricultural transition, including the need for an economic impact assessment of the removal of BPS, and the establishment of an agricultural transition fund to support farmers to move to regenerative practices - the value of a farmer-led NFM demonstrator project - the trade-off between environmental/ecosystem services, biodiversity, and landscape character - the importance of environmental education and community empowerment - the need to ensure green infrastructure is not only promised but delivered There was considerable support for the themes we are proposing in the new strategy, and acknowledgement that we need to do more to weave communities and local ownership of objectives into the LNP's work. A further meeting will be held to better understand the role of the LNP as regards environmental education, engagement and community empowerment. Deadline for submission of further feedback to the strategy is Wednesday 10th March, and the final version is due to be adopted by April 1st, and will be uploaded here once it is finalised.

In February 2021 the LNP, in partnership with Gloucestershire NFU, hosted an event to provide farmers with information about the direction of travel for farming and farm support in the UK post Brexit. The Agriculture Bill represents a once in a lifetime opportunity to evolve public support for farmers to continue to deliver environmental benefits through their land management practices, in line with the aims of the 25 Year Environment Plan. ELM, the Environmental Land Management scheme, is a key policy for delivering this. Level 1 of ELM, called the Sustainable Farming Incentive, will be launched later this year and will be the first chance many have of engaging with the new scheme. Catherine Boyd from DEFRA presented at our webinar to lay out what this looks like. One key takeaway message was that the best thing farmers can do right now is to get into Stewardship agreements - doing so will in no way disadvantage them from becoming involved in any aspect of the new scheme. Many farmers have already had the chance to interact with the co-design of ELM, through one of the Tests and Trials in Gloucestershire. The project leads of these Tests and Trials (Tim Bevan from GWT, Jenny Phelps from FWAG and Mark Connelly from the AONB) also presented at the webinar, to share what they have learnt. Some are ongoing, and both Jenny and Tim requested farmers who have had no previous experience of ELM to get in touch. James Cox, county Chair of the NFU in Gloucestershire led a lively Q&A session. A recording of the webinar is available here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2HSlE9Mi_zQ&feature=youtu.be

Excellent article from a number of international authors, including some from Kew Gardens, giving rules for reforestation where carbon sequestration is the main aim .