Government agencies such as Environment Agency, Natural
England and Forestry Commission were consistent in their use
of mechanisms, however CSFOs used a variety of mechanisms for
individual measures, differing between catchments. Not for profit
environmental organisations varied more in the mechanisms used,
predominantly caused by contrasting access to funds. If an organisation
did not have a funded project or were unable to offer
farmers a grant, they often provided advice on AES options (ful-
filling a similar role to Natural England staff) but targeting specific
options for the benefit of a particular species or habitat. Organisations
with grants often fulfilled gaps in government schemes by
providing grants for mitigation measures not covered by AES. Additionally,
some environmental organisations used more unusual
mechanisms to encourage advice uptake such as volunteer power
(Cornwall Wildlife Trust), machinery sharing and the lending of
livestock for grassland management (Devon Wildlife Trust). Advisors
from the agricultural business sector predominantly used the
voluntary approach and signposting with advice provision. Recommendations
using the voluntary approach would often be to save
the farmer resources e.g. reducing fertiliser application rates and if
a recommendation required resources, signposting would be used,
e.g. to CSF capital grants for infrastructure.