Charities in England are being invited to apply for grants of up to £500,000 as part of government plans to improve people’s access to nature.
The new £6m Trees Call to Action Fund will finance up to 24 regional or national projects managed by partnerships of environmental charities, not-for-profit organisations, local authorities and protected landscape bodies.
The fund will be delivered by the National Lottery Heritage Fund in partnership with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the Forestry Commission to award grants of between £250,000 and £500,000 to projects across England.
The fund aims to support the government’s England Trees Action Plan and its commitment to at least treble planting rates by the end of this parliament.
Projects will be required to outline how they can best deliver against the action plan and increase capacity and skills in this area including developing training and placement programmes for new foresters and woodland managers.
Ros Kerslake, chief executive of the NLHF, said: “Trees are a critical part of our natural heritage, from capturing carbon emissions to mitigating pollution, they play a vital role in protecting and enhancing our landscape for all generations to enjoy.
“We are delighted to support this new Trees Call to Action Fund which will enable partnerships to create woodlands, enhancing our beautiful countryside and providing a huge benefit to our wildlife and our health and wellbeing, as well as helping to combat the impacts of climate change.”
The deadline for expression of Interests is 16 November.
For more information and guidance on how to apply click here.