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Landscapes, parks and nature

Blairvockie Farm, Ben Lomond
Since 1994 we have awarded over £1.8bn to more than 4,200 land, nature and biodiversity projects across the UK.

Nature is our oldest form of heritage. It's also one of our most fragile forms of heritage.

Looking after nature and helping people to understand its importance has never been more important. That's why funding landscapes and nature is one of our key strategic funding priorities until 2024.

To help ensure the impact of our investment in addressing the twin climate and ecological crises we will prioritise landscape and nature projects that:

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

The heritage sector has an important role to play in reducing carbon emissions and tackling climate change. We’ve committed to working together with our sector partners to take action. Read our joint statement.

Discovering wildlife at Thatcham

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

This could include:

  • creating wildflower areas rather than close-mown grass
  • increasing tree planting and native hedgerows
  • not using peat

New environmental sustainability guidance

In May 2020 we updated our environmental sustainability guidance to help all our projects make a difference for nature.

Canisp Suilven Lock

What we fund

Thanks to National Lottery players, since 1994 we have invested £1.6billion in landscapes and nature, including more than £950m in public parks and cemeteries.

Habitats and species

Butterfly

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

What we fund

Landscapes

Romney Marsh

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

Green roof of cafe

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 and gardens. Here's how our funding can help look after them.

What we fund
Drew Bennellick

Blogs

The importance of funding nature

To celebrate the start of Love Parks Week, our Head of Land & Nature Policy, Drew Bennellick, discusses the benefits of green spaces and why we fund them.
Long green grass and rushes surrounding water at Woodwalton Fen
Woodwalton Fen. Credit: Robert Enderby

Projects

Peatland Progress: A New Vision for the Fens

We have awarded more than £8million to this ground-breaking project that addresses climate change, carbon emissions, biodiversity loss and the mental health and wellbeing of young people.

Three people look down over a valley with mountains in the distance
Braemar view. Credit: Cameron Cosgrove

Projects

Cairngorms 2030: people and nature thriving together

We have awarded nearly £12.5million to a life-changing project aiming to preserve the UK’s biggest National Park, bringing communities together to help nature and improve wellbeing.

Ferry Meadows Country Park

News

£6.5million for heritage projects in Staffordshire, Peterborough and Dudley

The projects aim to preserve key heritage sites, and will benefit a diverse range of people – from the church community to the locals of Stafford town centre. History at the Heart of Community Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Archives is receiving £3,964,000 for the History at the Heart of Community