Grants support conservation, mental health, and local community involvement from Birmingham to Cumbernauld
The National Lottery Heritage Fund has unveiled a new £20 million investment into six major projects across the United Kingdom, in a landmark move aimed at enhancing community access to green spaces, preserving natural heritage, and promoting wellbeing. This funding reflects a growing recognition of the vital role that nature plays in both environmental sustainability and public health.
Restoring Birmingham Botanical Gardens: A Legacy for the Next Century
The largest grant—£9 million—has been allocated to Birmingham Botanical Gardens, a near 200-year-old institution, for a major restoration of its Grade II listed glasshouse. The funding will also help redisplay the site’s 30,000+ plant specimens, reinforcing its status as one of the UK’s most important living collections. The initiative is expected to reach 22,000 participants through educational workshops, events, and volunteer schemes.
Chair of the Birmingham Botanical Gardens, Sue Beardsmore, noted: “This project ensures the next generation inherits both a cultural landmark and a beacon of environmental education and engagement.”
Scottish Wildlife Trust: Rewilding North Lanarkshire
Another standout grant includes £2.6 million awarded to the Scottish Wildlife Trust’s “Nurturing Natural Connections” project in Cumbernauld, North Lanarkshire. Over the next five years, the initiative will manage 330 hectares of native woodland, plant 2,000 trees, and improve wildflower meadows and waterways. The program targets engagement with over 6,000 residents, creating long-term benefits for biodiversity and public wellbeing.
Nature and Farming in Harmony: North Pennines National Landscape
In the North Pennines UNESCO Global Geopark, a £654,000 development grant has been approved toward a future £9.35 million delivery phase of the “Landscape Connections” project. The program plans to support 250 farmers in implementing wildlife-friendly practices and reconnect critical habitats, reflecting a broader shift toward sustainable land stewardship in the UK’s agricultural sectors.
Additional Grants Supporting Heritage and Climate Resilience
Other notable awards include:
£2.2 million to the Welsh Wildlife Centre in Pembrokeshire for accessibility upgrades and improved energy efficiency.
£1.8 million to Woodoaks Farm in Hertfordshire to restore a 16th-century Grade II listed barn and expand environmental education.
£3.9 million to The Food Museum in Suffolk to repair and repurpose three historic buildings.
These projects merge heritage preservation with climate-conscious infrastructure, targeting both cultural resilience and environmental sustainability.
A Broader Vision: Access, Inclusion, and Wellbeing
Eilish McGuinness, CEO of The National Lottery Heritage Fund, emphasized the holistic nature of these projects: “Each of these inspiring projects demonstrates a commitment to supporting greater inclusion, diversity and access to nature… vital green places reinvigorate and nurture a resilient future for people and our natural environment.”
This announcement follows the Fund’s milestone achievement of £1 billion invested in Scottish heritage over the past 30 years, impacting 5,000 initiatives, including major efforts like Mar Lodge Estate conservation and the Burns Birthplace Museum.
Conclusion
As environmental concerns rise and public health challenges grow more complex, the £20 million green investment by the National Lottery Heritage Fund underscores the critical interlinkages between nature, wellbeing, and community resilience. These six projects mark not just conservation milestones but an invitation for everyday citizens to take part in shaping a sustainable and inclusive environmental future.
