Contents:
Step 1: Creating a Land App account
Create a FREE Land App account by registering here.
Step 2: Creating a map
If you have created a new account we automatically take you into a new map called New Map - Please ensure you change the name to be “FarmName_Surname_SupplierName”, this guidance shows how.
If you are already have a Land App account you will need to create a new map in your Land App account (guidance here). ENSURE you follow the correct naming structure for your map “FarmName_Surname_SupplierName”.
Step 3: Creating a plan of your field parcel boundaries
Create your Field Parcel Boundaries for your holding by importing your field parcel data using a Single Business Identifier. Ensure you import the data into the Basic payment Scheme (BPS) template. Select New in the top left of your map, Import data, Import from Rural Payments, input your SBI and your dataset as Land Covers. Select the Basic payment Scheme template and name the plan “BPS_FarmName_SupplierName”.
Step 4: Creating a Baseline Habitat Assessment plan
Translate your BPS Plan to Baseline Habitat Assessment plan using “Duplicate” to the “Baseline Habitat Assessment V2” template (guidance here). ENSURE you follow the correct naming structure “BHA_FarmName_SupplierName”.
If your RPA Data is missing parcels, you can draw new features using the “Area” tool (guidance here) or by adding fields from the Land Registry “Data Layer” details on how here.
Increase the accuracy of your baseline by:
Changing the habitats by assigning a different land use to your fields (guidance here).
We recommend that you assign habitats that are of UK Habitat Classification level 3 or higher as this ensures the best quality results from your Nature Reporting submissions. The codes for Level 3 habitats (viewable beside the habitat name) contain one letter and one number (e.g. g2: Calcareous grassland). You can also assigned Level 4 & 5 habitats which have additional digits in their codes (e.g. g2a: Lowland calcareous grassland). For more detail on UK Habitat Classifications please visit https://ukhab.org/.
Adding more detailed features to the map including linear features such as hedgerows (guidance here), drawing field corner or plots such as wildflower patches, scrub or bird cover (guidance here) and creating margins or buffers (guidance here).
Data Download - Vegetation Data
By incorporating vegetation boundaries from the Environment Agency, World Resources Institute, and Meta into your plans, you can integrate these important features into your baseline habitat assessments. To do this please follow the guidance located here.
Once the vegetation data plan has created copy all the features into your Baseline Habitat Assessment plan.
To do this click on the three vertical dots nest to the plan name and Select All.
On the pop up screen select done.
All of the data in that plan will now be selected and you can now click on Copy to a plan.
Select the baseline plan that you want to copy to and the click on Copy features to plan.
The copied features will still be highlighted once copied, now click on the Buffer tool.
Ignore the buffer settings and toggle on subtract and click on OK.
This will have subtracted the vegetation data from your baseline plan so that you have no overlapping features.
Step 5: Creating a Land Management Plan (NOT ESSENTIAL FOR ALL PROJECTS)
If you would like to/or are required to create a Land Management Plan, you will need to create a new plan (guidance here) and select the “Land Management Plan V2” template.
You can then copy fields where you are planning land management changes to this plan (guidance here) and edit and assign habitats to these features using the same tools as for you Baseline Habitat Assessment. ENSURE you follow the correct naming structure “LMP_FarmName_SupplierName”.
Step 6: Submit you plan(s)
Once you are happy with your plans, you can share the maps with the required Nature Reporting Organisation.
To do this select the leaf icon at the top of the screen.
And on the Farm info tab select Start Sharing.
On the following screen select Add Farm Details.
Complete the information on this screen and select Submit.
Next, in the plans selection click on Select Baseline.
You will now be presented with a list of one or more Baseline plans. Select the plan that you wish to submit and click on Submit.
Please note the following steps are Not essential for all projects. If required for your process now click on Select Land Management Plan.
You will now be presented with a list of one or more Land Management plans. Select the plan that you wish to submit and click on Submit.
The next step is to click on Publish.
Select who (which retailer) you want to publish the data to from the dropdown.
Then select the Produce type/s and Processor(s), multiple are allowed, and click on Publish.
This completes the steps for submitting your plan(s).
What happens next
Now that you have submitted your data, your bespoke farm report will be shared with you. It will provide insights into your farm's impact on biodiversity, suggest where changes could have the greatest effect, and highlight key risks and opportunities.
What if I want to revoke access
To complete this navigate to the map that contains the plans that were shared.
Click on the Leaf Icon at the top of the screen.
On the Farm info page scroll to the bottom.
In the publish section you should see your submission there. Select Review.
Then on the Stop sharing button.
What if I want to review/change/add new Processors / Produce Types
To complete this navigate to the map that contains the plans that were shared.
Click on the Leaf Icon at the top of the screen.
On the Farm info page scroll to the bottom.
In the publish section you should see your submission there. Select Review.
Click on Edit.
From here click you can add new/change produce types and processors.
