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.

The UK has 24 native species of bumblebee

Projects

Bumblebee Conservation

In recent years changes to farming practices has led to a decline in bumblebee populations within the UK. The Bumblebee Conservation Trust aimed to raise awareness of the bumblebee’s plight.

Compton Verney, Warwickshire
Compton Verney in Warwickshire, a Capability Brown landscape

Projects

Capability Brown Festival

Held in 2016, the Capability Brown Festival was created to celebrate 300 years since the birth of Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown – the ‘Shakespeare of gardening’.

A person sitting on a rock looking towards a hill called Blencathra

Projects

Eycott Hill Nature Reserve

A nature reserve was created at Eycott Hill in North Cumbria to preserve the natural environment of the area.

Wildflowers growing at Meadow Farm
Wildflowers growing at Meadow Farm

Projects

Protecting the wildflowers at Meadow Farm

The Berks, Bucks & Oxon Wildlife Trust acquired the Meadow Farm site in Oxfordshire to preserve the untouched medieval meadows.

Yr Ysgwrn, home to Ellis Humphrey Evans
Yr Ysgwrn, home to Ellis Humphrey Evans

Projects

Yr Ysgwrn

Ellis Humphrey Evans, better known by his bardic name, Hedd Wyn, was raised at Yr Ysgwrn and is best known for his poems that reflect on the horrors of the First World War. This project will ensure its conservation.

Pupils from St Thomas More Catholic Primary at Greno Woods in Sheffield
Pupils from St Thomas More Catholic Primary at Greno Woods in Sheffield

Projects

Greno Woods

Local Sheffield woodlands conserved and consolidated for the benefit of local communities and wildlife.

Kent's Orchards for Everyone
Volunteers plant trees in an orchard

Projects

Caring for Kent's traditional orchards

Kent Orchards for Everyone has brought together the local community and orchard experts to help restore and conserve 13 traditional orchards, saving this important natural heritage for the future.

A person plants a tree sapling
A participant helping to regenerate Great Trossachs Forest

Projects

Great Trossachs Forest Gateways Project

One of the largest woodlands in the UK – containing native woodland of high biodiversity, recreational and scenic value – is being created in the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park.

Participants managing the woodland in Frithy Wood, Suffolk
Participants managing the woodland in Frithy Wood, Suffolk

Projects

Frithy Woods - Restoring the Repertoire

The ancient woodland of Frithy Wood was in decline as a natural habitat until the Green Light Trust received a grant to purchase and restore it to its original condition.

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