What are we doing?

Current project actions include:

• Helping farmers with their Environmental Stewardship applications for higher level schemes (HLS) 
• Providing advice on farm environment plans (FEPs) and choosing HLS options, especially those relating to wetland and farmland birds
• Providing specialist advice to farmers and Natural England advisors on the creation and management of HLS wetland options, eg sluice and scrape construction, rush management.
• Liaising with the Drainage Board, Environment Agency etc regarding consents for water level management structures.
• Gathering ecological monitoring data for the project area, including surveys for breeding and wintering birds, water vole and otter, ditch vegetation.
• Carrying out hydrological monitoring of water tables and ditch flow levels across Cayton Carr.
• Facilitating communication between conservation agencies, landowners and archaeological reseach groups
• Liaising with members of the public, local communities and interest groups, including talks, publicity and promotion of the project.

The main objectives of the project are to:

• Restore a nationally important wetland landscape
• Increase the wildlife value of the area
• Help farm businesses move away from intensive farming systems towards sustainable land management
• Improve the financial security of the farming community
• Help to achieve targets contained in the Scarborough Local Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) and in the UK Biodiversity Action Plan
• Protect a fragile and internationally important archaeological resource
• Improve flood storage and water quality for the Derwent River catchment
• Improve the quality of life for local communities by creating a more attractive and natural local environment
• Create a resource for tourism, recreation and educational purposes.