Led by the Froglife Trust, the project will focus on former collieries, pit dwellings and industrial sites in some of the most disadvantaged areas of Scotland and Yorkshire.

It will create and restore ponds, develop neighbourhood wildlife corridors and give people of all ages the chance to get involved in nature recovery on their doorstep.

The conservation programme follows a successful three-year pilot in Walsall, West Midlands, where reptile and amphibian habitats were improved through community intervention.

The projects

In Scotland, our grant of £940,480 will support large-scale habitat restoration across Ayrshire, South Lanarkshire and the Lothians. Work will take place at 14 sites, creating 65 new ponds, restoring 22 ponds and improving 24 surrounding habitats. People will be encouraged to get involved through surveys to guide how local green spaces are improved.

In Yorkshire, £899,761 will help with habitat improvements at 17 sites across North, South and West Yorkshire. This includes ecological restoration, the creation of 48 small ponds and 93 freshwater habitats as well as reconnecting fragmented habitats through six new wildlife corridors. From wildlife gardening workshops to Speaking Sculptures and wildspace festivals, over 50,000 people will be involved in creative activities to connect with nature.

Support for vulnerable species

Ponds are among the UK's most important wildlife habitats, supporting at least two-thirds of Britain's freshwater plants and animals. Across Europe, 59% of amphibian species and 42% of reptile species are experiencing population declines, with many threatened by habitat loss, fragmentation, disease and environmental pressures.

Kathy Wormald, Froglife Chief Executive, said: "This is a wonderful opportunity for Froglife to make a real difference for nature and people.

“These two projects will greatly enhance the natural environment in Scotland and Yorkshire, whilst also providing communities living in these regions with fantastic opportunities to engage with and enjoy their natural environments."  

Community-led regeneration  

Coalface to Wildspace aims to get people involved in nature in a way that feels comfortable and accessible. Its focus on communities with limited access to green space will enable more people to feel the benefits of connecting with nature and be part of improving their local natural environments.

When people care about the land around them, they help create landscapes that are more sustainable and resilient.

McKenzie Raynor, volunteer

McKenzie Raynor, a volunteer from Dalkeith, said: "Volunteering as part of Coalface to Wildspace has had a huge impact on my life, helping me build confidence, achieve over 500 hours of volunteering and that’s led to opening up new career opportunities. I’ve had a chance to be part of something which is transforming neglected spaces into thriving amphibian habitats.

“I’ve long believed that conservation which is led and involves communities is one of the best ways to protect wildlife: when people care about the land around them, they help create landscapes that are more sustainable and resilient.”

Activities including gardening workshops and sessions for children will help inspire the next generation of conservationists.

Safeguarding our natural world

Find out more about our commitment to restore habitats and connect people to nature through the projects we fund.

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