Natural England - Natural Assets

Natural Assets

29 September 2009

Unlocking the economic potential of natural assets in the West Midlands

Community woodland (c) Walsall Countryside Services

Can you help make the most of the economic potential of the natural environment in the West Midlands? If so, you might be eligible for a grant from Natural Assets – a £2 million grant scheme funded by Advantage West Midlands and delivered by Natural England.

What is Natural Assets?

Nobody likes to see potential go to waste. At Natural England, we see it all too often – neglected natural spaces that nobody visits and with limited value to the environment or economy.

But what if those spaces were improved and properly maintained, improving biodiversity, attracting visitors and new business, creating jobs and increasing the value of property in the area?

The Natural Assets grant scheme aims to tap into the natural potential of the West Midlands to benefit everyone who lives and works there.

Natural Assets will focus on realising economic benefits from new environmental initiatives over a four year period. Applications for the first round will need to be submitted by Friday 6th November.

We believe that, with proper investment, the natural environment can support the local economy and we’re looking to fund new projects which show that in the West Midlands region.

We would expect any project funded by Natural Assets to be publicly accessible, wherever possible.

Why the West Midlands?

The natural environment is one of the West Midland’s biggest assets.

Anyone who lives and works in the area is never far from a natural space with big environmental, leisure and tourism potential.

But at the moment, that potential isn’t being fully realised with many open natural areas underused and, in some cases, poorly maintained.

By investing in the West Midlands, Natural Assets will show how environmental assets can have a positive impact on the economics of the region and its people –creating a positive legacy that will far outlive the four-year scheme.

What difference will it make?

Projects funded by Natural Assets must take place on or link to the Region’s natural assets. We want them to have a lasting impact. The potential benefits include:

  • Attracting visitors to the area;

  • Creating and safeguarding jobs;

  • Enhancing urban and rural publicly accessible natural spaces;

  • Creating sustainable business opportunities linked to the natural environment;

  • Making better places to live and work by reducing air and noise pollution;

  • Tackling climate change;

  • Reducing flood risk;

  • Increasing productivity by enhancing workers’ surroundings;

  • Improving wellbeing and health through high quality recreational spaces;

  • Engaging young people in nature-based opportunities for learning, enjoyment and employment.

Contact us

For further information and advice please contact:

Ruth Metcalfe – Grants Adviser, tel: 0300 060 3951

Angela Hennell – Assistant Grants Adviser, tel: 0300 060 1191

Or email: naturalassets@naturalengland.org.uk

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Advantage West Midlands

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