Farmers are required to put 10% of their CG farmed area in to the following habitats:
Pollen and Nectar Habitats (4%), Wild bird food crops (2% or (1.5% if Annually cultivated natural regeneration is adopted)), Tussocky and/or fine grass mixtures (2%), Annually cultivated natural regeneration (0.5% (or 0% if not appropriate and Wild bird food is increased to 2%)) and Other habitats (2%)
(See The CG Protocol for more details)
Some of the habitats that Conservation Grade requires may already have existed on the farm prior to it becoming a Conservation Grade farm and, providing they meet the standards, can count towards the 10% requirement. Other habitats may have to be established. Habitats such as wild bird food will need establishing annually or biennially. All habitats require specific management in order to maintain high levels of quality.

CG Farmers also erect bird and bat boxes and hedges are cut only every third year to protect nesting habitats and food sources such as wild berries as well as providing essential shelter.