Thanks to National Lottery players, ornamental gardens will be restored, the history of community green spaces will be explored and local people and volunteers will get the chance to explore the amazing natural heritage on their doorsteps.

2016 has been a bumper year for nature in Yorkshire, and the Yorkshire’s Back Garden campaign has gone from strength to strength in promoting funding for natural heritage projects throughout the region. We’ve seen some wonderful projects looking at the fantastic natural heritage across the length and breadth of Yorkshire, and have awarded more than £2.3million for a wide variety of activity, from monitoring bats, birds and beetles to exploring the hills and dales of Yorkshire.

[quote=Fiona Spiers, Head of HLF Yorkshire and the Humber]"It’s thanks to National Lottery players that we can continue to raise awareness of such biodiversity and help local people protect it for future generations."[/quote]

Fiona Spiers, Head of HLF Yorkshire and the Humber, said: “These two latest projects represent a continued celebration of the region’s wealth of beautiful green spaces. It’s thanks to National Lottery players that we can continue to raise awareness of such biodiversity and help local people protect it for future generations.”

Japanese Garden Restoration

Friends of Valley Gardens Harrogate have been awarded £89,200 to partner with Harrogate Borough Council (HBC), in order to restore a Japanese Garden to its former glory.

90 Memories from 90 Years

The Ashes Playing Field Trust has been awarded £10,000 by HLF to partner with Groundwork North Yorkshire to explore and celebrate the history of the Ashes Playing Field and bring to life the stories of people and events of the past.

Have a project idea?

The Yorkshire’s Back Garden campaign is particularly targeting local groups to help raise awareness of wildlife and nature to be found close to home – in back gardens and local neighbourhoods in both urban and rural locations – and we are keen to hear from anyone with a project idea. To get in touch, email our development team.

To keep up to date with Yorkshire’s back garden, follow us on Twitter or keep an eye on the hashtag: #HLFnature.