FARMERS across south Essex within the area known as the Land of the Fanns are being offered a cash incentive to help protect and improve habitats for wildlife.

The Land of the Fanns covers an area of 185 square kilometres, with much of the landscape still in agricultural use. It aligns with the footprint of Thames Chase Community Forest which covers 104 square kilometres across east London and south west Essex.

It is an area supported by the land of the Fanns project, which is supported by Thurrock Council as well as organisations including Essex County Council, Forestry England, the Thames Estuary Partnership, Brentwood Borough Council, London Borough of Havering, London Borough of Barking & Dagenham and Thames21.

The project's 'Farmed Landscape' project is assisting with surveys and advice, that will help prepare farmers for future funding opportunities such as ELMS (the Environmental Land Management Scheme) and with the range of funding opportunities currently available to help with projects that deliver benefits for wildlife and the landscape.

There are funds available from Land of the Fanns for farmers to deliver small-scale projects such as creating and restoring ponds, planting new hedgerows, offering wild bird seed mixes and placing wildlife nest boxes.

Farmers within the project area are eligible for a grant of up to £1,500.

The Land of the Fanns has partnered with the RSPB to run this year-long project which also offers farmers the opportunity to benefit from surveys to assess the wildlife on their land.

Local farmers in the project area can get free farm visits and surveys and advice by contacting [email protected]. To find out more about the project, visit the Land of the Fanns website.