Page last updated: 18 April 2023

To mark The King’s coronation next month, we’ve boosted our our New to Nature initiative with an additional £1m of funding.

The scheme – developed to mark The Queen’s platinum jubilee last year –  has already got 70 young people into 12-month fixed-term roles in nature and landscape organisations across the UK. 

This latest investment will create another 25 roles – bringing the total to 95.

These people are the future of nature conservation, and we are delighted to support them.

Eilish McGuinness, Chief Executive of The National Lottery Heritage Fund

Changing lives and diversifying workforces

Research shows that less than 7% of environment sector professionals are from diverse ethnic communities. The impact of the pandemic on young people’s employment prospects has further widened existing skills gaps and shortages in the UK.

New to Nature is providing high quality and potentially life-changing experiences for marginalised people struggling to get jobs. It’s also supporting the natural heritage sector to be more inclusive and diverse.

The trainees we’ve funded are working in organisations including WWF-UK, the Zoological Society of London, The Woodland Trust, Bat Conservation Trust, Royal Society for the Protection of Birds and the National Trust. Their responsibilities range from desk-based roles in communications and social media to outdoor conservation roles.

Every time I come into the garden, I go: ‘I've built that'.

Ben, Market Garden Development Officer trainee

Confidence and satisfaction

Heather, 19, is a Youth Work Assistant at Scotswood Garden, Newcastle upon Tyne. She said the garden is "a little nature community" in the city.

"The placement has been really good and I've been gradually given more responsibility. It’s improving my confidence as I’m working with a wide range of people who also have additional needs. The team are really supportive and I’m just really happy here.”

Ben, 20, is working as a Market Garden Development Officer at The Ecology Centre in Kinghorn, in Scotland.

"What I'm enjoying most is I've not been doing the same thing at any point,” he said.

“Even if I’m planting seeds, it's been literally a different type of vegetable every single time so far. We made a bean frame from one side of the garden to the other. It’s just putting bits of wood together but even still, it's satisfying to see every time I come into the garden and go: ‘I've built that'.”

Supporting the future, today

Eilish McGuinness, Chief Executive of The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: “New to Nature is a brand-new approach for us, supporting our strategic commitment to nature and inclusion.

“Our added investment of £1m reflects the success of the project so far. These  people are the future of nature conservation, and we are delighted to support them.” 

New to Nature is being delivered by Groundwork UK in partnership with The Prince’s Trust, Disability Rights UK, Mission Diverse and Youth Environmental Service.

Apply for a placement

Are you – or someone you know – looking for your first break in the natural heritage sector?

Applications for the new placements are now open via the Groundwork UK website.

Further support

Explore how else the Heritage Fund is supporting nature and inclusion – and our vision for the decade ahead – on our website.