The event highlighted the value of funding nature and its recovery and showcased a number of Wildlife Trust projects funded by HLF around the UK.

Defra Minister, Jim Paice spoke at the event and welcomed sixteen years of The Wildlife Trusts and the Heritage Lottery Fund working together.

Carole Souter, Chief Executive of the Heritage Lottery Fund, said: “Over the past 16 years the Heritage Lottery Fund has awarded around £100million towards Wildlife Trusts projects. This forms part of our wider commitment of £390million to more than 3,000 projects which support nature conservation across the UK. Our funding has made it possible to help people learn about, conserve and protect our incredible natural heritage. 

“We are now consulting on the future of Lottery funding for heritage, asking people to tell us what they think our priorities should be, what we should continue to do, and what we should do differently. Over the next few years the amount of money we will have available for heritage will increase to around £300million and we want to know how people think we should use it.”

Stephanie Hilborne OBE, Chief Executive of The Wildlife Trusts, said: “We warmly welcome the support that HLF has given to The Wildlife Trusts over 16 years. And we welcome the support shown by parliamentarians today. With an uncertain economic future, we look forward to funding streams that protect and restore nature continuing. 

‘We are at a pivotal moment for nature which is vital to our lives and well-being. The Government has committed to producing a Natural Environment White Paper in May. We hope this will provide the right policy framework so that nature can thrive and recover. We urge parliamentarians to ensure the Government delivers an ambitious and visionary Natural Environment White Paper in May.” 

Notes to editors

Pictured at the 'valuing heritage' event are: Stephanie Hilborne, Chief Executive of The Wildlife Trusts, Jim Paice MP, Minister of State for Agriculture and Food, and Carole Souter, HLF Chief Executive

• The event was held on 30 March 2011 at Portcullis House, Westminster. 
• Using money raised through the National Lottery, the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) sustains and transforms a wide range of heritage for present and future generations to take part in, learn from and enjoy. From museums, parks and historic places to archaeology, natural environment and cultural traditions, we invest in every part of our diverse heritage. HLF has supported more than 30,000 projects allocating £4.5billion across the UK. Please visit www.hlf.org.uk/consultation2011 by 26 April to let us know your views Consultation is to inform HLF’s strategy for 2013–2019.