1. Jo Traill Thomson September 2016
North Devon Landscape Pioneer, Dr Jo Traill Thomson M
Jo Traill Thomson
September 2016

2. What are the Pioneer’s for?
Primary aim of Pioneers:
Test the approaches and new ways of working outlined in the 25 YEP Framework.
Test new tools and methods as part of applying a natural capital approach in practice
Learn transferable lessons to inform the wider roll out of the full 25 YEP.
Demonstrate a joined-up, integrated approach to delivery.
Defra are also keen for the projects to test the interface between national and local level initiatives and explore innovative sources of finance.
We have the ability to shape DEFRA and other government investment of resource and to use this alongside new funding sources to improve their environment for socio-economic gain;

3. 25 Year Environment Plan Framework: key features
We have the ability to shape DEFRA and other government investment of resource and to use this alongside new funding sources to improve their environment for socio-economic gain;

4. The 4 Pioneers will take place in 5 locations
There is one based on a rural landscape setting in North Devon, an urban setting in Greater Manchester, a network of river catchments in Cumbria and a project on the marine environments, expected to be off the coasts of East Anglia and Devon.
It is envisaged the Pioneers will have a maximum lifespan of 3-4 years, with major milestones for reporting on progress within 1-2 years so that they can inform the development of the 25YEP and future iterations of it
We began scoping the Pioneer in June, and the Pioneers were formally announced at the end of August
The Defra 25 Year Environment Plan Framework is anticipated to be published in December/ possibly the New Year
Each Pioneer is led by an official from the Defra Group. The Environment Agency leading the Urban and Catchment Pioneers (with support from the EA programme manager), Natural England leading the landscape Pioneer and the leadership for the Marine Pioneer is still to be agreed.

5. Why North Devon? there’s a lot going on….
Where:The North Devon Pioneer will consider the landscape within the Biosphere  including the Taw and Torridge catchments. The Pioneer offers the opportunity to develop and demonstrate new thinking over a wide and distinctive landscape containing a range of designations, protected areas and wider projects. Existing strong leadership is already demonstrated within the Biosphere and the pioneer may be an opportunity to strengthen governance in particular with communities and the private sector. Fast paced, flexible and creative and building on existing good practice in North Devon.

6. The kinds of 5, 10 and 25 year outcomes we may want to work towards -
A connected landscape (Lawton) – people connected to their landscape, to each other and ecological connectivity across the landscape (enabling private interests to better succeed and the public interest better met);
Woodland creation and woodland management (WEZ)
Farming and wildlife together again; a clearer relationship between environment and economy
Improved biodiversity and access generating economic and social benefits to visitors/tourism economy & local people
Better soils/higher fertility of farmland (soils)
Improved water catchment avoid flood risk costs
Shared delivery by farmers/land managers?
Business productivity increased with improved freedoms and flexibilities (innovate planning mechanisms/106/CIL& generate fund
Estuary restoration and realignment
Communities reconnected with their natural capital, reduced health costs; reduced social isolation; improved local democracy and empowerment
Improved water quality in rivers and fresh water ecosystems generates economic benefits to angling, tourism and salt water fisheries
By the end of the first year we should have an improved understanding of what natural capital we have, what condition its in, who the beneficiaries are and what role natural capital plays in the economy of North Devon. The next steps will be to use the natural capital accounting framework to identify priority outcomes and develop innovative financing mechanisms (to invest in the natural capital associated with the local economy, businesses, communities and farming and sustainable land management).
Coastal erosion management/coastal realignment

7. What we’re doing Stage 1: Oct 2016 – October 2017
Oct 16 - Dec 16
Building and agreeing the approach, plan of activities and resourcing plan
Establishing the collaborative network & core working group
Oct 16 – April 17
Developing the natural capital approach and accounting framework
Natural capital mapping & drivers and pressures of change
Financial mapping exercise
April – Oct 17
An economic assessment of the best natural capital investment opportunities building on the mapping, accounting framework and pressures of change
Agree baseline and preferred future options
Stage 2: October
A shared natural capital investment plan
Trial the use of innovative funding mechanisms
Outcomes/ destination e.g. devolved delivery with funding from new and existing sources to deliver more efficient, more effective and better outcomes for our natural capital
Understanding, commitment and delivery
Financial mapping: Analysis of current spend on natural capital in north Devon by all bodies (NE, EA, FC, RPA, Defra, Utilities, NGOs, Local gov etc)

8. Biosphere task and finish groups and wider collaborative
The who of the Pioneer
Defra 25 Year Environment Plan Steering Group
National Pioneer Board – Defra; 4 x Pioneer leads; Natural Capital Committee; Climate Change committee++
NE Strategy, Reform & Innovation; NE Chief Scientist
Directorate; Specialist Services Programmes –
Principal Economist; Natural Capital Specialists
Defra Environmental Analysis Unit (EAU)
& Earth Observation Centre of
Excellence (EOCoEx)
Pioneer working group: North Devon Biosphere Core Management Group (DCC, TDC, NDDC, Defra (EA), NGOs (DWT) plus AONB
Locally working with and through existing groups – not creating anything new in North Devon.
Biosphere task and finish
groups and wider collaborative
network (Biosphere Partnership, Exmoor
and Dartmoor National Parks, WRT, Woodland Trust,
LNP, LEP, HWB, industry, Historic England, Network Rail,
Met Office, RSPB, SWW, North Wycke, Exeter University/
SWEEP, Public Health, Community and Voluntary Sector ++)

9. The benefits of a natural capital approach
What natural capital have you got?
What does it do and for who?
What is the value of the benefits?
What are the pressures and drivers of change; how do they affect the state of your natural capital
How do we manage it (for healthy functioning ecosystems for the long term and for people aswell as species)
Its about conservation and restoration of our natural assets and a way of bringing the environment into decision making

10. The benefits of a natural capital approach…..
demonstrates the need to look after our natural capital
recognises natural capital underpins other capitals
appeals to different people and sectors
enables management for multiple benefits
efficient use of limited resources
opportunity to consider trade-offs
potential new funding
natural environment is taken into consideration in decision-making
Its about conservation and restoration of our natural assets and a way of bringing the environment into decision making