Since its launch in 2006, Natural England’s Catchment Sensitive Farming (CSF) programme has played a crucial role in reducing diffuse water pollution from agriculture. Working in partnership with the Environment Agency, Forestry Commission and Defra, CSF provides farmers with free advice to promote more sustainable practices that will benefit both the environment and farming businesses.

However with 100 advisors operating across England, each using their own methods, many of which included annotating paper maps, CSF engagement records across the board were inconsistent. High staff turnover further compounded the problem, leading to a loss of corporate knowledge and inefficiencies in targeting priority farms. As CSF expanded to include air quality, natural flood management and climate change goals, the need for a more consistent, scalable approach that would unify workflows and preserve knowledge became clear.

As an Esri technology user for many years, Natural England identified that a digital, location-based solution using the ArcGIS system, would be key to delivering a more efficient CSF programme.

Working with Esri UK’s Professional Services team Natural England developed an initial Proof of Concept for the Farm Data Capture Tool (FDC). From the outset, a key objective was to develop a solution that would strengthen Natural England’s trusted relationship with farmers. Following a Beta release and iterative feedback from users, the tool was officially launched in October 2024.

The FDC is designed to streamline and standardise how CSF advisors plan, capture and manage data. It comprises two key components: a browser-based web app and a mobile field app.Advisors use the web app, built in ArcGIS Experience Builder to plan farm visits, review locations and assess land parcels. In the field they switch to the mobile app, built with ArcGIS Field Maps to perform assessments, take and geotag photos, capture field-level run-off issues and input observations that sync directly with the web app; where connectivity allows, data syncs in real-time otherwise it uploads automatically once back online. Back in the office through the web app embedded with ArcGIS Survey123, advisors capture post-visit recommendations, which are then automatically formatted into report templates ready for review and to be sent out to farmers.

All collected data is fed into a central ArcGIS Dashboard, presented within an ArcGIS Experience Builder app. The dashboard visualises planned visits, previous assessments and integrates key environmental datasets providing advisors with a comprehensive, spatially aware view of their work.

Adoption of the solution has grown steadily as the team’s digital confidence increases. To support smooth and inclusive adoption the Natural England team developed comprehensive guidance notes and training videos accessible via a corporate digital hub. While digital confidence varies across the advisors the approach has been effective, and feedback from users has been overwhelmingly positive.

The FDC complements the existing CSF Reporter database, which remains the formal system for audit and reporting. By adding spatial context, field-level notes and real-time data capture, FDC enhances day-to-day operations and supports more effective advisor-farmer engagement and the tool is already demonstrating its potential to transform how CSF advisors work. Built with scalability in mind, it integrates tools from across the ArcGIS system to deliver one seamless user experience, enabling smarter, evidence-based engagement and supporting the development of long-term relationships with farmers.

Time savings
Advisors no longer need to manually upload data once they return to the office. Data is now automatically captured and uploaded from field sites in real-time, or as soon as connectivity is restored. This includes geotagged photos and observations, significantly reducing administration time and enabling advisors to focus on more farmer engagement.

Better use of data
Both mobile and web browser tools provide instant access to rich spatial datasets from trusted sources including Defra, the Environment Agency and the Living Atlas.During site visits, advisors can also review past assessment data, allowing them to deliver more targeted, evidence-based advice that supports farmers in adopting more effective, sustainable land management practices.

Improved planning
The web app enables advisors to conduct more thorough pre-visit checks by providing access to key datasets such as soil quality, environmental constraints and land designations such as SSSIs. Advisors can also view indicators showing where each farmer is on his engagement journey, allowing for more personalised, strategic and efficient planning of on-the-ground advisory work.

Replicable solution
The scalable design of the FDC tool makes it easy to adapt across other teams within Natural England. Several departments have already indicated their interest in tailoring the solution to meet their specific needs, demonstrating the tool’s potential to support a wide range of environmental initiatives.