Effective nature restoration in rural landscapes depends on working with farmers rather than around them. We recognise that farmers are not peripheral stakeholders but daily stewards of the land, holding deep practical knowledge of soils, weather, livestock and seasonal change. Best practice restoration places this expertise at the centre of project design, delivery and long-term management.

We begin with trust. Many farmers have experienced decades of shifting policy, short-term schemes and top-down prescriptions that overlook local realities. We therefore start by listening: understanding farm businesses, family histories, financial pressures and the cultural values tied to land and place. Early conversations focus not on targets or restrictions, but on shared aims such as soil health, water security, farm resilience and the future viability of rural livelihoods. When we frame restoration as supporting these goals rather than replacing them, collaboration becomes possible.

Co-design is essential to how we work. Instead of imposing fixed outcomes, we involve farmers in shaping restoration plans from the outset. Together, we identify where woodland regeneration is appropriate, which areas can support wetland restoration, and how grazing can be managed to benefit both biodiversity and livestock productivity. Farmers’ observations often highlight practical constraints or opportunities that external specialists might miss. By combining scientific evidence with lived experience, we create plans that are realistic, flexible and durable.

We treat economic security as a non-negotiable foundation. Farmers cannot be expected to carry the financial risk of delivering public environmental benefits alone. We ensure that income is protected or diversified through long-term, reliable payments for ecosystem services, rather than short, competitive schemes. These payments reflect the true value of outcomes such as carbon storage, flood mitigation and biodiversity recovery, while also supporting transitional costs. Where possible, we work to open new income streams, including agroforestry products, low-intensity grazing premiums, eco-tourism or local supply chains, helping farms remain economically viable.

We also recognise that practical support matters as much as funding. Restoration often requires new skills, equipment and management approaches. Best practice therefore includes accessible training, peer-to-peer learning and ongoing technical advice, not one-off consultancy. We support farmer-led demonstration sites and local knowledge networks that build confidence, reduce risk and normalise change. When we see neighbours succeeding, restoration shifts from an abstract idea to a practical option.

Shared governance strengthens long-term commitment. We ensure farmers have a meaningful role in decision-making, monitoring and adaptation over time, including agreement on how success is measured and flexibility to respond to change. By prioritising long-term relationships over rigid contracts, we acknowledge that restoration is a process shaped by weather, markets and evolving ecological responses.

Above all, we respect identity and pride. Farming is not only an economic activity but a way of life rooted in care for place. We frame restoration as a continuation of this stewardship, recognising farmers as partners and leaders in recovering landscapes. When we work in this way, nature restoration strengthens rural communities, supports food production and creates landscapes capable of sustaining both people and nature into the future.