Landscapes, parks and nature

Looking after nature and helping people to understand its importance has never been more vital.

Since 1994 we have awarded £2billion to 4,700 land, nature and biodiversity projects across the UK.

Protecting the environment is one of our four Heritage 2033 investment principles.

We are prioritising landscape and nature projects that:

support nature’s recovery
deliver nature-based solutions to address climate change
reconnect people to landscapes, marine environments and nature

The climate crisis

The heritage sector has an important role to play in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and tackling climate change. Find out more about what we're doing to tackle the climate crisis.

What we expect from projects we fund

We want all kinds of heritage project, large and small, to:

limit any potential damage on the environment
make a positive impact on the environment and particularly for nature

Read our environmental sustainability guidance.

How to get funding

Find out more and apply

Find out more

Discover what projects we fund, and what you could do with our investment to help protect our natural world.

Habitats and species

Mae merch yn dal wystrys brodorol gan y loch

We support projects that conserve and enhance habitats and protect and preserve the UK's precious species.

What we fund

Landscapes

We expect successful projects to show how they will address the key challenges faced by the UK's landscapes and nature.

What we fund

Public parks and urban green spaces

Public parks are facing a severe reduction in funding from local authorities. This is how we can help your parks and urban green spaces.

What we fund

Gardens and cemeteries

The UK is world renowned for its wealth of historic designed parks, gardens and cemeteries. Here's how our funding can help look after them.

What we fund

Workers chop down trees overhanging a stretch of overgrown canal

Restoring the Welsh section of the Montgomery canal included removing overhanging trees.

Projects

Luronium Futures: preserving rare plants on the Montgomery Canal

The Canal and River Trust’s project improved the condition of the Welsh stretch of the Montgomery Canal which is home to rare British wildlife species.

06/09/2021

Oysters are being restored to Conwy Bay.

Projects

Restoring the habitats of wild oysters in Conwy Bay

ZSL (Zoological Society of London) and Bangor University are restoring native oyster habitats in Conwy Bay to improve marine biodiversity, increase coastal resilience and re-connect people with their coastal heritage.

19/12/2022

Programme

Nature Networks Fund (round three)

This fund aims to strengthen the resilience of Wales’ network of protected land and marine sites, building capacity to strengthen and upscale future delivery for nature, and actively encouraging community engagement.

A man from a Pakistani family background on a outdoor walk, wearing hiking gear. He stands in front of a pile of logs

Naveed Bakhsh. Photo: Lawrence Scott

Blogs

‘Heritage is a bridge that connects me to my South Asian and Scottish identities’

South Asian Heritage Month grounds Naveed to his community’s past. It also makes space to talk about how to engage British South Asians with the UK’s cultural and natural heritage.

03/08/2023

Northern Ireland Committee Chair Mukesh Sharma with Denise Murphy from The Woodland Trust at the new footbridge, which links Brackfield and Red Brae Woods.

Projects

Faughan Valley’s ancient woodlands open to the public

The Woodland Trust project is reconnecting people with the outdoors by using trees and woodlands to build a resilient landscape that’s a haven for wildlife.

13/03/2018

A wooden signpost pointing one way to Plymouth 300 miles away, and another way to the Tamara Coast to Coast route with Plymouth 87 miles away.

Signage at the end of the Tamara Coast to Coast.

Projects

New 87-mile walking route links Cornwall’s north and south coasts

Improved access and support for the community means that more people can discover this diverse natural landscape.

25/09/2018

My School, My Planet activities.

Projects

My School, My Planet: supporting schools and community groups to improve Walsall's natural heritage

My School, My Planet is helping 16 Walsall schools and community groups to learn about and improve their natural spaces and mitigate the effects of the climate crisis.

21/07/2022

Clock Tower at the Horniman.

Projects

Horniman gets the green light for transformational nature project

Described as a once-in-a-generation project, the Natural History Gallery and gardens will be redeveloped into a new and engaging space for all.

30/11/2021

An ariel view of Boston Manor in its parkland with lawns and trees

Boston Manor Park with the house nestled in the parkland.

Projects

Reconnecting Boston Manor Park to its house, history and the community

A four-year project has restored and reinterpreted Boston Manor Park, delivering significant improvements to the landscape, biodiversity and communities – who can now enjoy the open public space.

29/06/2017

Illustrated map showing 58 UK UNESCO sites

The UNESCO illustrated map, showing 58 heritage sites across the UK.

Projects

UNESCO launch a new illustrated map of the UK’s top heritage sites

Designed by Birmingham-based creative cartographer Tom Woolley, the map shows all 58 sites, cities and natural landscapes, helping to bring to life the huge variety of heritage on people’s doorsteps.

13/07/2022

An outdoor landscape with trees and a waterfall

Nant Methan waterfall, part of the Celtic Rainforest in the Elan Valley

Projects

Saving rare Celtic Rainforest in the Elan Valley

People in Radnorshire will have better access to an area of temperate rainforest – an extremely rare habitat which will be better protected and managed.

26/06/2023

Bluebells in Parc y Moch

Projects

Developing Parc y Moch into an outdoor and wellbeing activity centre

A woodland near Bethesda in the Ogwen Valley is being transformed into an outdoor space for everyone.

26/06/2023