Create scrub and open habitat mosaics (updated for SFI26)

What you must do

You must manage the area entered into this action in a way that can reasonably be expected to achieve this action’s aim, including: allowing scrub to regenerate naturally or by planting a variety of native scrub species, or a combination of both, so scrub cover develops on between 10% and 60% of the area controlling wild herbivores to allow scrub to develop and establish leaving any standing and fallen deadwood in place, if it’s safe to do so leaving any mature and veteran trees in place, if it’s safe to do so making sure tree guards do not damage growing trees, and removing them once trees are established You must not: cut vegetation, unless it’s to control injurious weeds and invasive non-native species including non-native trees, soft and hard rush, nettles or bracken graze with livestock apply fertilisers, manures or lime apply pesticides, except for herbicides, to weed wipe or spot treat to control injurious weeds, invasive non-native species, nettles or bracken plough, cultivate, re-seed, harrow or roll release gamebirds use supplementary feed for game birds carry out drainage works or change existing drainage, without written permission before work starts

When to do it

You must do this action each year of its 3-year duration.

Evidence to keep

You must keep evidence to show what you’ve done to complete this action, such as: field operations at a land parcel level and associated invoices photographs or other documentation If it’s not clear that you’ve done this action in a way that could reasonably be expected to achieve its aim, we may ask for this evidence. You must supply the evidence if we ask for it.

SFI26 actions v2.0, updated 7 July 2026 — verified 1 Aug 2026. Open official guidance