Land and biodiversity

We have awarded £278million to help to conserve and recover our most threatened habitats and species through more than 2,270 projects. We are making major contributions towards the delivery of UK Biodiversity Action Plan targets, and are particularly keen to encourage biodiversity applications in 2010, the International Year of Biodiversity.

We want more people, whether in cities or in the countryside, to learn about, explore and enjoy wildlife. Innovative approaches to sustainable development and conserving our landscapes are being developed with our help, for example through our Landscape Partnerships programme, and people across the UK are exploring the outdoors, whether following restored Scottish mountain paths or treading new fenland boardwalks.

We have given more than £525million to projects that have rejuvenated more than 500 historic public parks, making our valued green spaces more accessible, attractive and safe, and bringing social, environmental and economic benefits to our communities.

Featured projects

Facts and figures

More than £91 million has helped to buy over 70,000 hectares of land of importance for wildlife.
We have awarded over £15million to more than 400 projects making nature more accessible for everyone, for example through trails, boardwalks, hides and digital technology.
£41 million to 120 projects benefitting Protected Landscapes, of which £22 million was awarded to 27 Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and £19 million to 18 National Parks
Grants have been made for the restoration and extension of more than 100km of hedgerow and 42km of dry-stone walls.
We have provided funds to improve or create more than 3,300km of footpaths, trails, bridleways and other access routes.

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