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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.
Landscaping in the Japanese Garden at Cowden, Scotland. Credit: Devlin Photo Ltd.
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
An oyster in the water
Oysters are being restored to Conwy Bay. Photo: ZSL.

Projects

Restoring the habitats of wild oysters in Conwy Bay

ZSL (Zoological Society of London) and Bangor University are restoring native oyster habitats in Conwy Bay to improve marine biodiversity, increase coastal resilience and re-connect people with their coastal heritage.

A person holding a shell.

Programme

Nature Networks Fund (round three)

This fund aims to strengthen the resilience of Wales’ network of protected land and marine sites, building capacity to strengthen and upscale future delivery for nature, and actively encouraging community engagement.
Two people are stood in front of the new bridge in Faughan Valley woodlands. Next to them is a sign to introduce the woodlands and has the Heritage Fund logo on it.
Northern Ireland Committee Chair Mukesh Sharma with Denise Murphy from The Woodland Trust at the new footbridge, which links Brackfield and Red Brae Woods.

Projects

Faughan Valley’s ancient woodlands open to the public

The Woodland Trust project is reconnecting people with the outdoors by using trees and woodlands to build a resilient landscape that’s a haven for wildlife.

An ariel view of Boston Manor in its parkland with lawns and trees
Boston Manor Park with the house nestled in the parkland. Credit: Historic England Archive

Projects

Reconnecting Boston Manor Park to its house, history and the community

A four-year project has restored and reinterpreted Boston Manor Park, delivering significant improvements to the landscape, biodiversity and communities – who can now enjoy the open public space.

Illustrated map showing 58 UK UNESCO sites
The UNESCO illustrated map, showing 58 heritage sites across the UK. Credit: Tom Woolley / UNESCO

Projects

UNESCO launch a new illustrated map of the UK’s top heritage sites

Designed by Birmingham-based creative cartographer Tom Woolley, the map shows all 58 sites, cities and natural landscapes, helping to bring to life the huge variety of heritage on people’s doorsteps.

An outdoor landscape with trees and a waterfall
Nant Methan waterfall, part of the Celtic Rainforest in the Elan Valley

Projects

Saving rare Celtic Rainforest in the Elan Valley

People in Radnorshire will have better access to an area of temperate rainforest – an extremely rare habitat which will be better protected and managed.

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