Landscapes, parks and nature

Landscapes, parks and nature

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.

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.

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.

Volunteers in the reedbed at Blacktoft Sands
Volunteers in the reedbed at Blacktoft Sands

Projects

Saving Marshlands: Wetland Heritage and Wildlife

Improving the management of important marshlands in East Riding through volunteer training and traditional conservation to connect people with natural heritage.

Family learning at Burnby Hall Gardens
Family learning at Burnby Hall Gardens.

Projects

Burnby Hall Gardens Golden Jubilee restoration project

An extensive restoration of the lakes and rock gardens ensured that their nationally recognised collection of hardy water lilies is protected, and improved spaces have facilitated more inclusive learning for visitors.

Lagoon View Hide in the sunshine
The completed Lagoon View Hide at WWT Washington Wetland Centre

Projects

Accessible wildlife hide helps everyone encounter nature

The Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT) championed Washington’s natural landscape through the creation of an accessible, environmentally conscious nature hide.

Brown long eared bat
Brown long eared bat

Projects

East Cleveland Batscape

Three of the eight species of bats present and breeding in East Cleveland are rare and of national conservation importance.

Putting out the camera traps to explore the local wildlife
The project explored the wildlife of Denbighshire, Wrexham and Flintshire

Projects

iWild North Wales

The iWild project introduced and connected people in North Wales to the wildlife living on their doorsteps.

A building in Walthamstow Wetlands
Walthamstow Wetlands on a sunny day

Projects

Walthamstow Wetlands

Walthamstow Wetlands has been redefined as London’s largest urban wetland nature reserve.

A teacher and pupils getting 'hands on' at Duthie Park

Projects

Duthie Park, Aberdeen: Historic Landscape Restoration

Aberdeen's flagship Duthie Park benefitted from conservation and improvement works, including the restoration of original Victorian features, while taking into account modern community needs and uses.

Entrance gates to Pontypool Park

Projects

Pontypool Park

Torfaen County Borough Council received funding to conserve and restore Pontypool Park.

People in Heaton Park, Manchester
Heaton Park, Manchester

Projects

Restoring Heaton Park, Manchester

Phase two of the project focused on restoring the historic centre of Heaton Park, putting back the original character by reinstating the original landscape design and planting schemes.

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