Eight projects from across the West of England are set to receive a share of funding from the multi-million-pound regional Nature Fund, announced by the Mayorin May.
A thriving natural environment is fundamental to a healthy, resilient society and economy.
From restoring species-rich grasslands and wetlands to improving rivers, protecting ancient trees and creating new community green spaces, the projects will help reverse biodiversity decline, reconnect habitats, and give more people the opportunity to enjoynature.
Large-scale nature recovery will also playan important role in responding to the impacts of the climate crisis, that has seen the country experience an unprecedented summer of drought, heatwaves, and wildfires.
Complementing existing nature recovery projects including restorationof woodland in Pucklechurch as part of the new Western Forest, the country’s first new National Forest in decades, which will see 20 million new trees planted across the West Country by 2050, the eight projectscomprise:
- Restoring land across the iconic ‘Bathscape’ – the green backdrop to Bath – focusing on restoring species-rich grassland and increasing access.
- Better management for nature of Bristol’s significant council-owned greenspaces, including funding and technical support for communities to have increased ownership and design of projects in their local areas.
- Delivery of a series of improvements along the River Chew, helping to improve water quality, remove pollutants, and alleviate flooding.
- Habitat improvements on the Levels in South Gloucestershire including managing invasive species and supporting native flora/fauna to return, following development/collaboration with Bristol Zoological Society.
- Improving resilience of ancient and veteran trees, creation of new wetlands, and historic pond restoration along the wooded ridges of North Somerset.
- Improving habitat connectivity along the River Frome by removing barriers for migratory species.
- River restoration and habitat improvements along the Somer Valley, focusing on community-accessible greenspaces.
- Wetland habitat improvements at Avon Wildlife Trust’s new 45-hectare reserve on the outskirts of Weston-super-Mare which will become a pioneering nature recovery engagement and demonstration site and communityasset for the region.
Developed with the West of England NaturePartnership, the projects will help accelerate delivery of the region’s LocalNature Recovery Strategy (LNRS), which established where resources for nature recovery will have the biggest impact.
Helen Godwin, Mayor of the West of England, said:
“Restoring our natural world can contribute to future health, resilience and prosperity across our region, tackling the climate and biodiversity crisis.
“The West of England’s £5 million Nature Fund is backing projects that can deliver landscape-scale change, from healthier rivers and richer habitats to more opportunities for people to connect with nature.
“Working together, we can give nature the space to recover and create a greener, more resilient region. I look forward to seeing these projects flourish in the coming years.”
Speaking in September when millionsof pounds of further investment was announced by the Mayor at the Wild Summit national nature conference, Environment Secretary Angela Eagle said:
“The UK has taken decisive steps to tackle the climate crisis, including preparing for extreme weather and acting to protect communities from the very real impacts of climate change which we have all experienced this summer.
“The climate and nature crisis go hand in hand, so it is brilliant to see local leadership and investment in nature-based solutions across the West of England that will not only help to drive down emissions but also bolster our resilience to extreme weather,create jobs, and give more people access to nature.”
Councillor Kevin Guy, Leader of Bath & North East Somerset Council; Councillor Tony Dyer, Leader of Bristol City Council and Deputy Mayor of the West of England; Councillor Mike Bell, Leader of North Somerset Council; Councillor Maggie Tyrrell, Leader ofSouth Gloucestershire Council, and Councillor Ian Boulton, Co-Leader of South Gloucestershire Council, said in a joint statement:
“The projects being supported by the nature fund will represent a significant step towards realising the goals of our Local Nature Recovery Strategy.
“By putting nature recovery at the heart of our region’s growth, we can strengthen our resilience to extreme weather, create jobs and investment, and protect the extraordinary green spaces and waterways that make the West of England such a special placeto live, work and visit – now and for future generations.”
Sumita Hutchison, Chair of the West of England Nature Partnership, said:
“This funding is a catalyst to turn our region’s ambitions for nature recovery into action on the ground. Across the West of England, our partners have been working together to develop joined-up programmes that can deliver change at a scale that individualorganisations could not achieve alone.
“The Nature Fund will help bring these plans to life, building on the expertise, commitment and collaboration of organisations across the region. But this is just the beginning. Our ambition is to build a sustained pipeline of nature recovery programmes,bringing together partners, resources and investment to deliver lasting change across our iconic landscapes.”
The final allocations for each project will be determined by the combined authority, subject to approval at October’s meeting ofthe Mayor and council leaders.
