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Landscapes, parks and nature

Landscapes, parks and nature

People landscaping in a Japanese garden in Scotland, with a mountain in the background.
Looking after nature and helping people to understand its importance has never been more vital.

Since 1994 we have awarded over £2.2billion of National Lottery and other funding to 5,100 land, nature and biodiversity projects across the UK. 

Protecting the environment is one of our four Heritage 2033 investment principles. Our vision is for heritage to be valued, cared for and sustained for everyone, now and in the future. 

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

Our National Lottery Heritage Grants funding programme is open, providing grants from £10,000 up to £10million.

Explore our available funding

Find out more

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

A child holds a butterfly while a guide smiles at him

 

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

What we fund

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

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

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
Five people, including three children are using nets
Jan Hogarth from the SCAMP Landscape Connections team and our Director for Scotland, Caroline Clark, in Powfoot with young 'Coastodians', Emily, Shane and Jack.

News

Scotland’s Solway Firth is our first Landscape Connections project

Led by Dumfries and Galloway Council, this long term, large-scale project is part of our 10-year strategic initiative supporting the UK’s world-class landscapes.
Three people standing in a field of wild flowers, one is bending down touching the flowers
Drew Bennellick, our Head of Land, Sea and Nature, and Harriet Bennett, Land Management Officer for the Chilterns Landscape Partnership project, with Andrew Stubbings, of Manor Farm, an example of a connected landscape. Photo: Oliver Dixon.

News

£150million funding to enhance and protect the UK’s world-class landscapes

Our strategic initiative, Landscape Connections, will support long-term projects to boost nature recovery and connect more people to our most treasured landscapes.
People looking at display cases in a mezzanine gallery.
Meet the Changemakers event on Manchester Museum Top Floor. Credit: Manchester Museum.

Stories

Case study: Roots and Branches

Joint winners of the Sustainable Project of the Year Award at the Museums + Heritage Awards 2024, Manchester Museum and Museum Development England, share their tips for growing a Carbon Literate museum community.
People walking in a park
Parks for Health project Camden and Islington. Credit: Islington Council.

Basic Page

Future Parks Accelerator

An initiative set up to secure the future of the UK’s urban parks and green spaces.
The view from Hall Ings to Norfolk Gardens.
Bradford's project will connect communities across the city and nearby towns with nature. Credit: SWECO.

News

Nature Towns and Cities launches with £15million investment

We’re supporting 40 towns and cities across the UK to improve and create accessible green spaces, streets and neighbourhoods.
A farmer is on a landscape surrounded by sheep.
Local communities will engage with farms across the landscape. Credit: Joanne Coates.

Projects

Protecting the natural heritage of the North Pennines

Focused on a National Landscape and a UNESCO Global Geopark, this project will reconnect and enhance important habitats across County Durham, Cumbria and Northumberland.

A group of people standing in a lane above them is a wooden bridge, the lane is enclosed by greenery covered embankments.
For over 10 years, the team have worked alongside local communities to restore greenspaces. Photo: Natalie Dunn.

Projects

Growing a sustainable and resilient future for Cumbernauld

Better health and wellbeing for local nature and people are central to Cumbernauld’s Nurturing Natural Connections project.

Statue at West Norwood Cemetery lit up at night
West Norwood Cemetery is one of London's Magnificent Seven

Projects

West Norwood Cemetery restored

Community spaces, access and restoration are at the heart of the six-year project in one of London’s Magnificent Seven.

A group gathers on the landscape in the Solway Firth.

Publications

Landscape Connections

We want to help designated Protected Landscapes and other world-class landscapes across the UK to become better for nature and people.
A group of people posing with an award
Joint winners of Sustainable Project of the Year, Stourbridge Glass Museum Eco-friendly Upcycled Glass Exhibition in New Eco Museum. Credit: Hayley Bray.

News

Winners announced for Sustainable Project of the Year 2025

Railworld Wildlife Haven and Stourbridge Glass Museum have been crowned the winners of the sustainability award.
A large group of young people cheering outdoors
Participants in the New to Nature programme including future Game Changer, Lisa Manning.

News

Meet the future game changers of heritage

The next phase of The National Lottery’s Game Changer campaign highlights the incredible impact of young adults across the UK.
A close up of a red squirrel on a tree branch
The project is supporting local community groups to get involved and run their own red squirrel conservation activities.

Projects

Providing a future for the UK's native red squirrels

Over the next five years the Red Squirrel Recovery Network will work to protect and conserve populations of red squirrels in the north of England and southern Scotland.

A group of Trees for Cities volunteers pose for the camera during a tree-planting session
Volunteers planting trees. Photo: Saoirse Clohessy.

Stories

Growing community connections with natural heritage

From curlews to historic mosslands, four projects in the North of England are celebrating local nature and putting people at the heart of plans to protect and restore it.
A small pond with a grate over it and plants going through it, created in the quad of a primary school in Ladybarn, Manchester
A pond created for a primary school in Ladybarn, Manchester. Photo: Sow the City.

Projects

Rewild Moss Side

Sow the City will explore the natural heritage of Moss Side, believed to derive its name from historic mosslands that once covered large areas of Greater Manchester.

A group of different ages from the Tylorstown community celebrate outside the Welfare Hall, smiling and raising their hands in the air.
The Tylorstown community celebrate outside the Welfare Hall. Credit: Steve Pope / FotoWales.

News

£43million awarded to help communities share skills and learn together

From the Norfolk coast to the canals of Scotland, our latest batch of grants will provide opportunities for people to get hands on with heritage and connect with their area’s past.

If you query is regarding our application portal, please contact our support team.