Higher Level Stewardship is based on the old Countryside Stewardship Scheme (CSS) and Environmentally Sensitive Areas (ESAs).

The five main objectives for the Higher Level Stewardship are:
* Wildlife conservation
* Protection of the historic environment
* Maintenance and enhancement of landscape quality and character
* Promote public access and understanding
* Resource protection

The two secondary objectives are:
* Flood Management
* Genetic Conservation

Higher Level Stewardship will concentrate on the more complex types of management needed to achieve these objectives, where land managers need advice and support, where agreements need to be tailored to local circumstances and where management needs to be targeted carefully. A local targeting statement for the High Weald will available soon.

Further details of this scheme can be found on the DEFRA website