Urban wildlife and green spaces in London get £1.2 million boost
6 July 2010
Access to Nature Programme funds 6 new projects in our capital
Thanks to £1.2m of new grants from the Access to Nature programme, thousands of people in London will have the chance to benefit from improved opportunities to enjoy, learn about and get involved with the city’s natural environment, getting closer to nature on their doorsteps. The 6 new projects will work at the heart of communities to provide a host of volunteering opportunities, conservation training, events and group activities.
Access to Nature is funded through the Big Lottery Fund’s Changing Spaces programme and is run by Natural England, leading a consortium of 11 other organisations who have helped shape and develop the programme.
Peter Wanless, Chief Executive of the Big Lottery Fund, said: “These projects will help thousands of people across the country, particularly those in our towns and cities, to get outside and enjoy nature and the environment around them. They are great examples of what the Big Lottery Fund’s Changing Spaces funding programme is all about and we’re very pleased to be able to support them.”
Rob Cameron, Natural England Head of London said:
“In a densely populated city, it is vital that people are able to enjoy and explore nature. These grants will make a real difference in enabling Londoners to access and enjoy the city’s green spaces and wildlife.”
Examples of some of the projects funded by the programme in London are described below. A full list can be found at our website www.naturalengland.org.uk/accesstonature
Finding nature through play will provide children living in Islington with the opportunity to have excellent play opportunities and through this to access, explore and find out about nature. Playgrounds will be mini nature reserves and staff and volunteers will be trained in play techniques that will introduce children to the natural world. It will use existing facilities and buildings in a partnership between play professionals, community organisations, the local authority and nature specialists to establish new play activities based on natural play.
Get out there! in Hammersmith will train adults from disadvantaged backgrounds in environmental management. It will provide a pathway for those who want to go on to further training as well as helping to develop social skills and confidence alongside practical skills. The project will also work with local families, getting them involved through a programme of visits that reflects seasonal changes.
Wild London Inclusive London will work with local people and help enhance the biodiversity value of designated green spaces. It will support London Wildlife Trust’s outreach work in Hackney, Southwark, Camden and surrounding areas with the help of Wild London Champions. These Champions will be equipped to lead teams of volunteers and deliver an ongoing programme of activities and events through training and mentoring. They will encourage people from under-represented communities to use their local green spaces and increase opportunities for local communities to learn new skills and play a more active role in protecting their natural heritage.
Notes to editors:
About Access to Nature
1. Led by Natural England the Access to Nature consortium comprises: BTCV, British Waterways, Environment Agency, the Forestry Commission, Greenspace, Groundwork UK, Land Restoration Trust, RSPB, The National Trust, the Wildlife Trusts and the Woodland Trust.
2. Access to Nature is now closed for new applications.
3. The Big Lottery Fund’s Changing Spaces programme was launched in November 2005 to help communities enjoy and improve their local environments. The programme is funding a range of activities from local food schemes and farmers markets, to education projects teaching people about the environment. Natural England was appointed as a Changing Spaces award partner responsible for distributing £25m through its Access to Nature scheme.
4. The Big Lottery Fund, the largest of the National Lottery good cause distributors, has been rolling out grants to health, education, environment and charitable causes across the UK since its inception in June 2004. It was established by Parliament on 1 December 2006.
5. Big Lottery Fund Press Office: 020 7211 1888; (out of hours: 07867 500 572)
Public enquiries line: 08454 102030; textphone 08456 021 659
Full details of the work of the Big Lottery Fund, its programmes and awards are available on the website: www.biglotteryfund.org.uk
About Natural England
Natural England is the government’s independent advisor on the natural environment. Established in 2006 our work is focused on enhancing England’s wildlife and landscapes and maximising the benefits they bring to the public.
We establish and care for England’s main wildlife and geological sites, ensuring that over 4,000 National Nature Reserves and Sites of Special Scientific Interest are looked after and improved.
We work to ensure that England’s landscapes are effectively protected, designating England’s National Parks, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and Marine Conservation Zones, and advising widely on their conservation.
We run England’s Environmental Stewardship green farming schemes that deliver over £400 million a year to farmers and landowners, enabling them to enhance the natural environment across two thirds of England’s farmland.
We fund, manage, and provide scientific expertise for hundreds of conservation projects each year, improving the prospects for thousands of England’s species and habitats.
We promote access to the wider countryside, helping establish National Trails and coastal trails and ensuring that the public can enjoy and benefit from them.
For further media information contact Ellen Softley, Press Office for Natural England, London on 0300 060 0213 mobile: 07990 804795 e-mail: ellen.softley@naturalengland.org.uk
or
Nigel Ellway on 0300 060 1372 mobile: 07900 608204 e-mail: nigel.ellway@naturalengland.org.uk
Alternatively for national enquiries please contact the Natural England press office on 0845 603 9953, out of hours 07970 098005.
