Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) has teamed up with the Big Lottery Fund (BIG) to double the money available to Scottish groups to improve and protect the natural environment through BIG’s Community Wildlife funding scheme.
Launched in June this year BIG’s Community Wildlife programme had a budget of £250,000 to distribute in Scotland making grants of £300 to £10,000 to allow community groups to discover, enjoy or protect the local wildlife in their area. Now SNH has invested a further £250,000 to enable communities across Scotland an even greater chance to celebrate local biodiversity.
From bird, bat or badger watching, to creating nature trails, woodland walks and wildlife gardens, Community Wildlife will award grants to voluntary or community sector organisations, town and parish councils, schools and health bodies committed to bringing people together to learn about nature. Projects that encourage people to get more active and healthier through exploring parks, rivers and the countryside to look for rare or endangered species, or that get people gardening or on nature walks, and those that encourage children to learn about nature through play will all benefit.
Alison Magee BIG Scotland Chair said, “Community Wildlife is all about supporting projects that get people of all ages and backgrounds working together to improve local rural and urban environments across Scotland. We want this funding to have a real impact on protecting habitats. Now this injection of extra funds from Scottish Natural Heritage will allow more people and communities to get outside to enjoy the natural environment, and so I encourage everyone to get their applications in to help save Scotland’s diverse wildlife for future generations.”
Susan Davies, SNH Director of Policy and Advice, said, “As healthy ecosystems are so important for Scotland’s future prosperity, we have made funding available for biodiversity projects through efficiency savings and a re-targeting of priorities at SNH. Communities across Scotland will be able to take on-the-ground action to help local wildlife and biodiversity with this important fund.”
Sally Northcott, SNH Partnership and Funding Manager, added, “We’re excited to team up with the Big Lottery Fund to make sure as many community groups in Scotland as possible hear about the Community Wildlife grants, helping improve biodiversity throughout the country.”
There are two futher deadlines for applications to the Community Wildlife programme: 22 September and 24 November 2010. For more information on the scheme or to apply visit the Big Lottery Fund website and download an application form or call 0845 367 0610 for an application form to be posted out.