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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 – and 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. 

We are prioritising 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. Find out more about what we're doing to tackle climate change.

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

Read more about our environmental sustainability requirements.

Read our environmental sustainability guidance..

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
Dry soil at sunset

Basic Page

How we're tackling climate change

In our corporate plan we have committed to play our part in tackling climate change – both within our organisation and in our grant giving.
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.
A graphic showing different types of heritage organisation feeding into the DASH survey, accompanied by the words "DASH Survey: Helping UK heritage learn more about their people's digital attitudes and skills"
All types of heritage organisation can take the DASH survey

News

Calling all heritage organisations: address your digital needs by taking the DASH survey

What is the DASH survey? Developing digital skills can help heritage organisations weather the COVID-19 pandemic and move towards a more resilient, creative future. But understanding how best to use digital can feel like a large and daunting prospect. The Digital Attitudes and Skills for Heritage
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.

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