Landscape Recovery Test & Trial

We are delighted to announce that we are taking part in a two-year, jam-packed ELM (Environmental land Management scheme) Landscape recovery Test & Trial from January 2022 to January 2024.

We are flying the ‘collaboration’ flag and seek to delve into how working together, as a group of 29 farmers, can further enhance our habitat mosaic across the cherished River Wensum Valley. We’ve already got experience with Test & Trials after taking part in the RSPB reverse auction but this time we will be exploring:

• payment rates, methods, and the role of farmer self-assessment

• farmer incentivisation and supporting commons & tenants 

• advice & guidance 

• private sector funding 

We look forward to sharing our progress as we go along.

RSPB Reverse Auction Test & Trial

In September 2020, the Wensum Farmer’s advisor was successful in proposing the group take part in a DEFRA ELM test and trial. 

In partnership with the RSPB, the trial is designed to encourage the stewardship and provision of turtle dove feeding, nesting and watering sites. The farmers are taking part in a reverse auction bidding process where a numerical bid is paired with an algorithm. This algorithm is designed to reward the bid from farmers who offer the highest quality of habitat. Plots also rate the highest where a feeding, nesting and watering site are all within 300m of each other. Additionally, the feeding plots must be between 0.25 – 5ha in size. 

ELM Test and Trial timeline for the reverse auction:

• December 2020 – discussions amongst the group on the project and how to proceed 
• January 2021 – site visits with RSPB advisor to select the best sites 
• February/ March 2021 – anonymous bidding commences 
• Summer 2021 – feedback gathering from farmers on the process so far to produce a written document with social science backing 
• September 2021 – Turtle dove feeding plot established for two years 
• September 2022 – site visit from RSPB advisor 

Keep an eye out on our news page for the latest updates