A new report published yesterday, November 11, has demonstrated the impact of the Nextdoor Nature programme, which enabled The Wildlife Trust to empower more than 1,600 communities across the UK to cultivate nature, exceeding their original target of 200,
The Wildlife Trust received £5 million in funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF) to deliver the programme which supported various nature restorative initiatives in nature deprived areas, and funded paid work placements for students in the nature heritage sector.
The National Lottery Heritage Fund’s chief executive, Eilish McGuinness, said: “We were delighted to support this transformative project as it so strongly supports our vision for heritage to be valued, cared for and sustained for everyone.
“This project delivers on our ambition to connect people and communities to heritage and the natural environment.
“I am delighted so many people are taking an active role in caring for nature and it has ignited a passion and commitment which will have positive impact for people and our environment into the future.”
Nextdoor Nature programme
The two-year long programme was delivered across a network of 44 Wildlife Trusts, which engaged with communities in lower socio economic areas on projects designed to improve people’s access to nature, making the localities more rewarding places to live, work and visit.
The programme has enabled the Roma communities in east Belfast to support wildlife gardening, linked local schools with rare bird reintroduction schemes in Kent, rewilded Derby town centre and funded a nature-friendly faith space in Slough.
A number of participants of the Nextdoor Nature programme were surveyed as part of the report which was commissioned to evaluate the extent of the success of the programme, which was found to have fostered a sense of place and local pride.
95% of the participants in the programme said that there is now greater collaboration between residents, local organisations and groups, while 82% believed that greater decision-making powers surrounding wildlife now lie in the hands of local people, as a direct result of the project.
Director of Campaigns and Communities at The Wildlife Trusts, Nikki Williams, said: “We’re over the moon about the success of this programme, and humbled by the astonishing change that communities have achieved across the UK.
“When communities are supported to make a difference for nature, creative things happen, connecting nature and people together.
“We’re especially excited by the knowledge that these changes form part of a sustainable legacy as more people become inspired to take action for nature where they live.
“The Wildlife Trusts are committed to bringing communities to the heart of decision-making. This has tangible and ongoing benefits to wildlife, nature and people.”
