FiPL – programme themes

All FiPL projects must result in tangible positive outcomes under at least one of the programme themes of climate, nature, people and place.

Examples of ways FiPL projects may address the ‘climate’ theme include:

• introducing outcome-focussed regenerative farming practices
• undertaking a ‘farm carbon audit’ and committing to a site-specific ‘action plan’ for change
• reducing carbon emissions, cutting farm fuel use or reducing inputs such as fertiliser, concentrates and feed
• natural flood management initiatives to reduce flood risk and ‘slow the flow’
• habitat creation or habitat restoration works that enable more carbon to be stored and/or sequestered, e.g. soil improvements, hedgerow planting, peat restoration
• any other measures that make the landscape more resilient to climate change

FiPL projects can support nature, habitat and species recovery, for example by:

• creating and maintaining habitats to support priority species e.g. curlew, black grouse, northern brown argus, white-clawed crayfish and red squirrel
• restoring and managing priority habitats such as upland hay meadows, calaminarian grassland, limestone pavement, blanket bog, ancient and native woodland, upland flushes, fens and swamps
• increasing connectivity between fragmented habitats to provide ecological corridors that support organisms including pollinators, birds and mammals
• better management of existing habitats for priority species, including creating wetter areas and ponds
• any measures that result in an overall increase in biodiversity

FiPL projects can increase opportunities for people to explore and understand the landscape and connect with the natural environment, with positive effects on individuals’ health and wellbeing through:

• creating permissive access routes, or upgrading rights of way from footpaths to other uses, replacing infrastructure such as stiles with accessible gates to enable more diverse use
• providing opportunities to explore, enjoy and understand the landscape and increasing public engagement in land management e.g. through volunteering and farm open days
• measures and activities that engage under-represented groups with farming and the countryside and increase diversity of visitor profile
• establishing care farming programmes and facilitating group visits that address social needs
• converting traditional farm buildings into much-needed accessible accommodation
• establishing farm shops, farm tours or on-farm volunteering programmes

Activities that would conserve or enhance the special qualities of the Yorkshire Dales, or that provide an insight into the cultural heritage of the Dales, fit the ‘place’ theme and might include:

• restoration or creation of a flower-rich traditional upland hay meadow
• conservation, enhancement or interpretation of historic structures and features, e.g. works to restore or repair a stone-built field barn
• preservation of heritage assets and historic farming infrastructure, e.g. pinfolds, wash dubs, cow’us; inclusion of interpretation material to engage and inform public
• maintenance of features associated with landscape character e.g. maintaining stock-proof drystone walls for ongoing agricultural practices
• any activity that increases the resilience of nature-friendly, sustainable farm businesses, which in turn contributes to a more thriving local economy, would also be supported.