Landowners and Farmers

Landowners and farmers play a vital role in shaping Suffolk’s biodiversity. Whether you manage arable land, permanent pasture, woodland, or wetland, understanding what wildlife your land supports – and where opportunities exist to enhance it – is increasingly important for stewardship schemes, planning decisions, and Biodiversity Net Gain. SBIS can provide the evidence base to help you make informed decisions and demonstrate the ecological value of your land.

How SBIS data can help you

Use species data, County Wildlife Site (CWS) boundaries, and LiDAR-derived hedge and tree canopy information to understand the ecological baseline of your land and identify opportunities for habitat creation, restoration, and connectivity. SBIS data can support applications for Countryside Stewardship, the Sustainable Farming Incentive, and Biodiversity Net Gain schemes by providing evidence of existing ecological value and identifying where targeted interventions will have the greatest impact.

Key datasets for farmers and landowners

County Wildlife Sites (CWS): If your land falls within or is adjacent to a County Wildlife Site, SBIS can provide boundary data and the full CWS citation, which describes the ecological features that make the site significant. This information is useful for land management planning and for demonstrating ecological value in grant or stewardship applications.

Species data: SBIS holds records for protected and priority species across Suffolk, including Badgers, Bats, Great Crested Newts, and a wide range of plants and invertebrates. Knowing which species have been recorded on or near your land can help you plan sympathetic management and avoid inadvertent harm.

LiDAR-derived hedge information: Detailed data on hedge length, structure, tree content, and gaps across Suffolk’s agricultural landscape. This dataset is particularly relevant for Countryside Stewardship and SFI options relating to hedgerow management and restoration, and for BNG calculations where hedgerows form part of the habitat baseline.

LiDAR-derived tree canopy information: Spatial data on tree cover, including woodland type, canopy area, and tree height. Useful for understanding existing woodland and scrub on your land and identifying opportunities for agroforestry, tree planting, or carbon sequestration projects.

Request data from SBIS

Further advice and support

The following organisations offer practical advice on farming and wildlife, stewardship schemes, and nature-friendly land management:

• Suffolk FWAG: independent farm conservation advice for Suffolk farmers and landowners.
• Suffolk Wildlife Trust – Farm Wildlife Advice: practical guidance on managing farmland for wildlife.
• Agricology: knowledge and practice for sustainable farming.
• LEAF – Linking Environment and Farming: promoting environmentally responsible farming.
• Nature Friendly Farming Network: connecting farmers committed to nature recovery.
• Real Farming Trust: supporting agroecological farming and food systems.

Get in touch

If you would like to discuss a data request or find out how SBIS data could support your land management plans, contact us at [email protected].