Shropshire Hills National Landscape has been shaped over thousands of years by geology, land use and longstanding rural traditions.
The project area covers 998 square km, including the National Landscape itself and four sub-catchments of the River Severn. The habitats in this area are varied and include upland heathland, flower-rich grasslands, wetlands and ancient woodlands. These support species such at the freshwater pearl mussel, curlews, dormice and the small pearl-bordered fritillary butterfly.
However, the area is facing threats due to habitat loss, invasive species and the effects of the climate crisis.
Our development funding will help shape plans ahead of a potential delivery grant of up to £8.9million. The project will be led by the National Trust, and has been co-developed with Shropshire Hills National Landscape Team, Shropshire Wildlife Trust, Severn Rivers Trust, Upper Onny Farmers Group, Natural England and the Environment Agency.
The development phase will include:
- working with climate specialists to identify where habitat creation and restoration can strengthen ecological connectivity
- developing and testing a farm resilience plan approach
- trialling a community grants pilot
- working with local communities and young people to identify the barriers which prevent them connecting with nature
Dr Charlie Bell, Landscape Connections Project Manager, National Trust, said: “As we experience increasingly extreme weather, the need to build a more resilient landscape for people and nature has never been clearer. The Heritage Fund’s support will bring together organisations, communities and landowners with differing expertise and perspectives, enabling us to work together to deliver lasting benefits for this beautiful landscape and the communities and wildlife that rely on it.”
This funding is part of our Landscape Connections strategic initiative, helping designated Protected Landscapes and other world-class landscapes across the UK to become better for nature and people.
