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Landscapes, parks and nature

People at RSPB Minsmere
RSPB Minsmere
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
An allotment with plants and greenhouse
Boundary Way allotments, Wolverhampton

News

Our new report uncovers impact of COVID-19 crisis on heritage

We commissioned Renaisi to find out how heritage organisations across the UK used our emergency funding, which was delivered at speed from April last year. The report reveals the positive impact the Heritage Emergency Fund had on the sector, as we distributed £49,829,600 to 961 heritage
People tending to roses
Volunteers tend to rose garden

Projects

Saughton Park restoration project

The historic park in the south west of Edinburgh provides vital support for the community's wellbeing.

Green Light Trust participants taking a break
Green Light Trust - Inclusive Conservation project

News

Mental Health Awareness Week: the value of green space

To mark Mental Health Awareness Week, we’re shining a spotlight on projects funded through the Green Recovery Challenge Fund which focus on improving people’s mental health and wellbeing.
NHS nurses sitting down with Slieve Donard in the background
Nurses on the Mournes walk

News

Connecting communities: from the frontline to the front room

We believe heritage brings many benefits for communities. To mark Local and Community History Month this May, we caught up with the ‘Mourne Memories of Places from the Past’ project in County Down to discover how it’s supporting the local area. “We found that the walks were a fantastic opportunity
Porpoise

Projects

Outreach with a Porpoise

Outreach with a Porpoise has received a £24,600 grant to raise awareness of harbour porpoises and marine life in south Pembrokeshire.

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