Landscapes, parks and nature | The National Lottery Heritage Fund

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People landscaping in a Japanese garden in Scotland, with a mountain in the background.

Landscaping in the Japanese Garden at Cowden, Scotland. Credit: Devlin Photo Ltd.

Looking after nature and helping people to understand its importance has never been more vital.

Since 1994 we have awarded over £2.1billion of National Lottery and other funding to more than 4,900 land, nature and biodiversity projects across the UK.

Protecting the environment is one of our four Heritage 2033 investment principles. Our vision is for heritage to be valued, cared for and sustained for everyone, now and in the future.

We are prioritising landscape and nature projects that:

support nature’s recovery
deliver nature-based solutions to address climate change
reconnect people to landscapes, marine environments and nature

The climate crisis

The heritage sector has an important role to play in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and tackling climate change. Find out more about what we're doing to tackle the climate crisis.

What we expect from projects we fund

We want all kinds of heritage project, large and small, to:

limit any potential damage on the environment
make a positive impact on the environment and particularly for nature

Read our environmental sustainability guidance.

How to get funding

Our National Lottery Heritage Grants funding programme is open, providing grants from £10,000 up to £10million.

Explore our available funding

Find out more

Discover what projects we fund, and what you could do with our investment to help protect our natural world.

A child holds a butterfly while a guide smiles at him

We support projects that conserve and enhance habitats and protect and preserve the UK's precious species.

Romney Marsh

We expect successful projects to show how they will address the key challenges faced by the UK's landscapes and nature.

Green roof of cafe

Public parks are facing a severe reduction in funding from local authorities. This is how we can help your parks and urban green spaces.

Landscapes, parks and nature

The UK is world renowned for its wealth of historic designed parks, gardens and cemeteries. Here's how our funding can help look after them.

Wild dormouse

Photo: Chester Zoo

News

£40million boost for nature recovery and green jobs

Ninety nature projects across England have been awarded funding from the Government’s Green Recovery Challenge Fund.

28/07/2021

Drew Bennellick

Blogs

The importance of funding nature

To celebrate the start of Love Parks Week, our Head of Land & Nature Policy, Drew Bennellick, discusses the benefits of green spaces and why we fund them.

23/07/2021

Person sitting in front of two computer screens

Volunteer Lucy Houliston

Projects

COVID19 The Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales

Volunteers with digital skills came to the aid of The Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales when people couldn’t visit Skomer Island during lockdown.

04/05/2020

Aerial view of Plymouth coast with lighthouse and dramatic sunrise

Site of the new marine park at Plymouth.

News

Heritage Horizon Awards: £50million to five life-changing projects

We are proud to announce the recipients of our Heritage Horizon Awards. Over £50million of funding has been awarded to five transformational projects across the UK. When we launched the Heritage Horizon Awards in 2019, we set out to fund ideas that unlocked possibility. From innovative farming

13/07/2021

Long green grass and rushes surrounding water at Woodwalton Fen

Woodwalton Fen.

Projects

Peatland Progress: A New Vision for the Fens

We have awarded more than £8million to this ground-breaking project that addresses climate change, carbon emissions, biodiversity loss and the mental health and wellbeing of young people.

29/06/2021

Three people look down over a valley with mountains in the distance

Braemar view.

Projects

Cairngorms 2030: people and nature thriving together

We have awarded nearly £12.5million to a life-changing project aiming to preserve the UK’s biggest National Park, bringing communities together to help nature and improve wellbeing.

29/06/2021

A red and white lighthouse at sunset

Smeaton's Tower.

Projects

Plymouth Sound National Marine Park

We've awarded £11.6million to help create the UK's first National Marine Park, revolutionising the way Plymouth interacts with its marine heritage.

29/06/2021

Young people resting on a gate in Brian's Wood

Young people at Brian's Wood

Projects

Connecting with nature and improving wellbeing in County Armagh

Community group An Tobar have been awarded a £61,900 National Lottery grant to help connect people with heritage in Brian’s Wood, Silverbridge.

24/05/2021

Outside the Jubilee Pool in Penzance

News

Penzance pool wins Sustainable Project of the Year at Museums + Heritage Awards

The annual Museums + Heritage Awards, which took place online tonight (Thursday 1 July), celebrate the UK’s most innovative and inspiring heritage attractions, museums and galleries. The Heritage Fund sponsored the Sustainable Project of the Year for the second year running. This award recognises

01/07/2021

Ferry Meadows Country Park

News

£6.5million for heritage projects in Staffordshire, Peterborough and Dudley

The projects aim to preserve key heritage sites, and will benefit a diverse range of people – from the church community to the locals of Stafford town centre. History at the Heart of Community Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Archives is receiving £3,964,000 for the History at the Heart of Community

02/07/2021

Family having a picnic in a park

Alexandra Park

Publications

Parks for People: why should we invest in parks?

Evidence from the Parks for People programme and six case studies uncovers the importance of our parks and how we can support them in future.

Child looking at hedgerow

Creating bigger, healthier and better-connected hedgerows

Projects

'Close the Gap': bigger, healthier, and better-connected hedgerows

Part of the Defra Green Recovery Challenge Fund, this project will plant new hedgerows and raise awareness about their importance for wellbeing and the environment.

25/11/2020