Providing guidance can help disseminate information when needed to a wide range of people.

However, limitations to accessing guidance need to be considered. For example, low levels of computer literacy and slow or disrupted internet connections means many farmers in the Peak District struggle to access information online.

Guidance must be in a format and language that is relevant to those expected to use it. Time to be able to read through guidance is an issue in busy farming calendars, and is often done in the evening. This can exacerbate issues around completing online applications for grants and incentive schemes particularly when there are short deadlines, or when these coincide with busy times of the year, such as lambing. Therefore guidance must be simple and straightforward, and presented to farmers by robust and reliable means.

For nature

• Sharing best practice and learnings with a wide range of farmers, land managers and owners.
• If farmers and land managers have a comprehensive understanding of what can be done for nature recovery, and what they will get in return, they are more likely to implement more nature recovery initiatives on their land.
• Less red tape and jargon will allow more farmers to get involved with schemes more quickly, and they can focus their efforts on implementation rather than paperwork.

What else can accessible and understandable guidance deliver?

• There is less risk involved if information is easier to understand and clearer about delivery and implications.
• Guidance can help with understanding of the regulatory baseline.
• Less time searching for and interpreting information.
• Better access to a variety of environmental data will help people to make informed holistic decisions.
• Having an understanding of the different funding available can help to ensure farmers generate the most income, whilst still recovering nature, from their land.

In practice

• The format of guidance needs to be accessible to those expected to use it. A combination of online and physical support might be needed.
• Consider newer technologies such as text or Whatsapp alerts and use of apps, although mobile phone signal and internet connectivity are still an issue in some parts of the Peak District.
• Guidance could be aimed at farmers, land managers and owners, or advisers and agents.
• Advice should present all options, and guide farmers to the right decision rather than prescribing solutions to them.
• Updates to information and deadlines for applications should avoid busier times in the farming calendar.
• Any information delivered online should be hosted by robust software, that can handle high volumes of traffic at once and doesn`t require the fastest internet speeds.