Natural Capital in Bedfordshire – Opportunities & Risks

'Farmers and landowners are part of the solution.’ Yes, but what does this actually mean for your farm business? What does ‘Natural Capital’ really mean for farming in Bedfordshire?

It doesn’t mean ‘stop farming’.

Bedfordshire and the surrounding counties are seeing significant growth and development. Alongside this comes new private and public strategies to protect, maintain, and enhance the natural environment — but can these strategies create real opportunities for farmers and landowners?

This event brings together the right people in the room to explain what natural capital means in practice, what schemes and markets are available now, and what’s coming next. You’ll hear how natural capital can become another tool in your farming toolbox, supporting your business while keeping land in agricultural use.

Whether you’re curious, cautious, or already exploring options, this session will help you understand:

• What natural capital means for Bedfordshire farms
• Current and future opportunities for farmers and landowners
• The latest policy & regulatory updates
• How to utilise environmental strategies to fit alongside a working farm business

Join us to explore how natural capital could work for your farm, on your terms.

We’ll cover:

• Re-cap: What is natural capital & why does it matter to you?
  Jargon buster; natural Capital, ecosystem services & nature markets. Everyone from your supply chain to your bank are starting to care about natural capital … so why should you?
• Making sense of all that policy!
  How is current policy influencing land use & farming and what’s coming down the road that you should know about?
• What’s happening in Bedfordshire?
  Hear about the Local Nature Recovery Strategy for the county, as well as existing Local Nature Partnerships, BNG agreements, grant funding and case studies on stacking options.

If you want to get ahead of the environmental plans, come along and find out where your existing farm business fits into the picture!

A hot lunch will be provided – please register to attend for catering purposes.

Basis & Nroso points available.

Speakers & Topics:

• What is Natural Capital & can it work WITH farming?
  Dr Laura James, AHDB Knowledge Transfer Manager & 2025 Nuffield Farming Schola
• Making sense of all that policy!
  Saskia van Dongen, AHDB Lead Environment Specialist - Policy
• What does the Local Nature Recovery Strategy mean for Bedfordshire farmers?
  Councillor Nicola Gribble, Bedford Borough Council
• What’s already happening in the county?
  Bedfordshire Local Nature Partnership
• What’s the latest on BNG and Habitat Banks
  Mitchell Ray, Environment Bank
• Improving Soil & Water, and Grant Funding
  Kim Hemmings, Anglian Water Catchment Advisor
  Case Studies: Stacking Options and fitting BNG into your farm business
• Environment Bank & Local Farmer Case Study
• Panel Q&A session to answer all your questions!

Molly Bampton
Knowledge Exchange Manager - Cereals & Oilseeds