Natural Networks

The Natural Networks programme could help enable your land to play its part in this revitalised landscape. It’s a great opportunity to deliver habitat improvements for wildlife on land that isn’t covered by other environmental grant schemes. The project team are on hand to help and can offer the following:

1. Advice. Where sites are eligible, officers from Worcestershire Wildlife Trust will carry out a Biodiversity Enhancement Assessment, which aims to direct projects towards actions that enhance land for wildlife in the most appropriate way. The assessment involves looking for records of notable habitats and species in the area, surveying the current quality of the land for wildlife and presenting the findings and recommendations for future management in an in-depth written report.

2. Grants. Staff from Worcestershire County Council can offer guidance on submitting an application for a grant of between £1,000 and £15,000 (representing up to70% of the total project cost) to help you carry out the recommendations suggested in the Biodiversity Enhancement Assessment. Your project will be presented to an appraisal panel, who will decide whether to award a Natural Networks grant. The process is competitive and so funding cannot be guaranteed.  Payments will be made in arrears and applicants must demonstrate that they have completed works and obtained relevant planning permissions, drainage consents etc. prior to funds being disbursed. Funds must be disbursed before the end of March 2025.

The programme is aimed at small and medium businesses, parish councils, charities, voluntary groups and public bodies. To be eligible the applicant must be a recognised legal entity. 

• Project sites need to have free and ongoing public access or applicants must be willing to offer permissive access for the lifetime of the project.
• Grants are aimed at land or interventions that are ineligible for Countryside Stewardship.
• The minimum grant available is £1,000, Natural Networks can only fund up to 70% of the total project cost. 

To learn more about the programme’s eligibility criteria and to register, please visit the County Council's Natural Networks page.

Worcestershire County Council will check your eligibility for the scheme. Get in touch with Lucy Mayo for more information lmayo@worcestershire.gov.uk 

Once it's confirmed that you are eligible for natural Networks Worcestershire Wildlife Trust will visit your site to carry out a Biodiversity Enhancement Assessment, evaluating its existing biodiversity value and recommending ways to enhance it. You can get in touch with our officers Becca Bratt becca.bratt@worcestershirewildlifetrust.org or Finley Reynolds finley@worcestershirewildlifetrust.org for more information.

This project is part-funded by the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and the Forestry Commission. This project is being delivered and managed by Worcestershire County Council on behalf of Malvern Hills District Council, Worcester City Council, Wychavon District Council and Wyre Forest District Council.

The UK Shared Prosperity Fund is a central pillar of the UK government’s Levelling Up agenda and provides £2.6 billion of funding for local investment by March 2025. The Fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK investing in communities and place, supporting local business, and people and skills. For more information, visit UK Shared Prosperity Fund: prospectus (GOV.UK).