Natural England

The East of England has received £1,116,000 of funding in less than three years from SITA Trust to help support 25 different conservation and biodiversity projects across the region.

SITA Trust provides funding through the Landfill Communities Fund. Funding is available for community and environmental groups to carry out a range of improvement projects.

Catherine Weightman, Regional Biodiversity Coordinator for Natural England said: "Great team work from a range of organisations including Natural England, the RSPB, The Wildlife Trusts, Forestry Commission and National Trust means we've added to the wealth of wonderful birds, butterflies and heathland in the East of England."

Money in the East of England has been invested in a diverse selection of projects ranging from work on Rye Meads in Hertfordshire to protection of octocentarian woodland in Cambridgeshire and barbastelle bat conservation in Suffolk.

A wide range of nature conservation orientated organisations have been able to benefit from SITA Trust’s Enriching Nature programme, since it launched in November 2005. Projects have been supported with anything between £1,000 and £175,000. The Dukes versus Blues butterfly project in Bedfordshire received £25,000 to create ideal habitat for the rare Duke of Burgundy and common blue butterfly.

At the larger end of the scale £150,000 of SITA Trust money has been awarded to Norfolk Wildlife Trust for the transformation of 68 hectares of former conifer plantation to lowland heathland in Grimston Warren, near King’s Lynn.

Paul Wilkinson, Chair, East of England Biodiversity Forum, says: “Connecting together and enhancing our fragmented habitats will help to secure the future of these important sites and produce great benefits for biodiversity and people. We are really pleased that SITA Trust has recognised this fact and, in partnership with the Biodiversity Forum, is targeting its resources to great effect.”

SITA Trust’s Enriching Nature programme has been specifically designed to support the vital work being completed by the regional biodiversity forums. It is hoped that the money will go some way to helping meet regional Biodiversity Action Plan targets for both species and habitats.

Ends.

For more information please contact:

For further information please contact the Natural England East of England press office: Linzee Kottman on 07824475359 linzee.j.kottman@naturalengland.org.uk Heather McMorland on 07919 228388 heather.mcmorland@naturalengland.org.uk Out of hours 07970 098005.

Notes to the editor

For information on how to apply for funding from SITA Trust call (01454) 262910 or click on www.sitatrust.org.uk

SITA Trust

1. SITA Trust was set up in 1997 and runs three funding programmes:

• Enhancing Communities – for community improvement projects around landfill sites owned by SITA UK
• Enriching Nature – for biodiversity projects within the vicinity of landfill sites in England
• GreenPrints – launched in June 2007 to encourage 16-25 year olds to volunteer their time and energy to improving green spaces in their local communities

2. Each year, SITA Trust commits over £7 million nationwide through the Landfill Communities Fund

3. As of June 2007 SITA Trust became the first Environmental Body (EB) to be awarded EB Accreditation through the new ENTRUST process.

The Landfill Communities Fund (formerly the Landfill Tax Credit Scheme)

1. Landfill tax was introduced in 1996 to encourage more sustainable ways of managing waste

2. The landfill tax legislation also brought about the Landfill Communities Fund. This scheme allows landfill operators to voluntarily donate 6.6% of their landfill tax liability to environmental improvement projects

3. The Landfill Communities Fund is independently regulated on behalf of HM Government’s Revenue & Customs by ENTRUST

Natural England

Natural England works for people, places and nature to conserve and enhance biodiversity, landscapes and wildlife in rural, urban, coastal and marine areas. We conserve and enhance the natural environment for its intrinsic value, the wellbeing and enjoyment of people, and the economic prosperity it brings. We increase opportunities to make the natural environment an enriching part of people's everyday lives, and improve its long term security by contributing to the sustainable management of our natural resources. www.naturalengland.org.uk

SITA Trust, The Barn, Brinkmarsh Lane, Falfield, S. Gloucestershire GL12 8PT

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