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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.

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.

What we fund

Romney Marsh

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

What we fund

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.

What we fund

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.

What we fund
Three people sitting on a picnic table in an urban greenspace, building wooden birdboxes with hammers
Drew Bennellick building birdboxes with the London Wildlife Trust team. Credit: Broni Lloyd-Edwards

Blogs

Green Futures: art, drone shows and the spectacle of nature

Drew Bennellick, our Head of Land & Nature Policy, reflects on how we have supported the UK’s City of Culture to embrace a green future.
Three people standing underneath a big palm tree in a conservatory
Frankie Toner, Policy and Public Affairs Manager at National Lottery Heritage Fund with Simon Milne MBE, Regius Keeper and Emma Lacroix, Director of Development at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. Credit: David Cheskin

News

£4million to save Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh's iconic glasshouses

The investment will also help to look after rare, extraordinary plants, encouraging visitors of all ages to care about the environment.
Three men leaning on railing, looking at each other
Minister for Heritage, Nigel Huddleston, at YHA Ironbridge Coalport with Manager and Deputy Manager Ben Platt (left) and Andrew Philipson (right).

News

Charity YHA awarded almost £1million from the Culture Recovery Fund

The organisation – which provides hostel stays and experiences to improve mental and physical wellbeing for young people – is receiving a financial boost to help it recover from the pandemic.
Three people walking in woodland
Simon Thurley, Chair of the Heritage Fund, walking between Chantelle Lindsay and Bobbi Benjamin-Wand, from London Wildlife Trust, at Camley Street Natural Park in London. Image © Broni Lloyd-Edwards.

News

£5million to improve access to nature and combat climate change

We’re partnering with The Wildlife Trusts to bring nature to the heart of communities across the UK, as part of our Platinum Jubilee legacy investment.

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