Projects in Sheffield, Leeds, York and Ryedale will create new habitats, improve facilities for wildlife watchers and explore the untold stories behind a local park and gardens, reconnecting people of all ages with natural heritage on their doorstep. Volunteers and local people will be at the heart of all four projects with heathland habitats to be restored, people's history of local parks and gardens to be collected and forest species brought into the spotlight. The four projects being supported are:

• Charting the history of Meanwood Park - A Quiet Word
• The Heritage of York Gate - Perennial (Gardener's Benevolent Fund)
• Cropton WildlifeHide - Forestry Commission - Yorkshire Forest District
• Sheffield Living Water - The Froglife Trust

Fiona Spiers, Head of Heritage Lottery Fund Yorkshire and the Humber, said: “These four latest projects vary in size and location but what they all have in common is a celebration of the region’s wealth of beautiful parks, gardens and wildlife sites. 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=Kathy Wormald, Chief Executive of the Froglife Trust]“This project is a perfect combination of enriching our natural environment and educating younger generations about the importance of wildlife in an engaging and fun manner.”[/quote]

2016 promises to be a bumper year for natural heritage in Yorkshire, as this news follows hard on the heels of the launch of the our Yorkshire’s Back Garden campaign which is promoting funding for natural heritage projects throughout the region over the next year and a half. The 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.

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