The Lincolnshire Wolds is a living, working landscape, with woodland, grassland and abandoned chalk pits providing important habitats for rare flowers and wildlife. It was designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) in 1973, identifying the Wolds as some of Britain's finest countryside, part of the AONB family and a true landscape for life.
The Lincolnshire Wolds AONB is a nationally important and cherished landscape. The area lies in the north-eastern quarter of the county of Lincolnshire, mid-way between Lincoln and the coast, surrounded by the relatively flat fens, coastal marsh and the Lincoln Clay Vale. The AONB comprises an area of nearly 56,000ha, while the wider Lincolnshire Wolds Natural Character Area (NCA) incorporates the two neighbouring areas of the 'Spilsby Crescent' to the south and the remaining chalk uplands to the north.
The Lincolnshire Wolds Countryside Service (LWCS) is a jointly funded partnership between Defra, Natural England, East Lindsey District Council, West Lindsey District Council, North East Lincolnshire Council and Lincolnshire County Council and works in partnership with the Joint Advisory Committee and other groups and individuals to:
The Lincolnshire Chalk Streams Project is also based within the LWCS team.
LWCS works with farmers, landowners and community groups on numerous projects, including landscape and conservation improvements, local business ventures and information provision. They also take the lead on the God's Acre Project in the AONB, co-lead the Lincolnshire Wolds Walking Festival and are involved with the delivery of agri-environment and woodland schemes and the Campaign for the Farmed Environment.
Any landowner or community within the AONB can contact LWCS for assistance, guidance and help in funding opportunities for projects that can improve their environment. They currently run two funding schemes; the Small Grant Scheme (SGS) for applications up to £1,000 and the Sustainable Development Fund (SDF) for applications between £1,000 and £15,000.