The exciting new project, Wilder Worcestershire: Neighbourhoods Nurturing Nature, will collaborate with new and existing community groups that are taking action for wildlife along the rivers Salwarpe and Severn corridor from Kempsey to Droitwich Spa.

The plans and funding build on the success of the previous Wilder Worcester project, which helped to enhance the ecological value of greenspaces in Worcester and increased individuals’ access to nature in the city. Community groups worked together, for example, to build and install nest boxes for swifts around Worcester Arboretum, which will hopefully support the birds for years to come.

Julie Grainger, Wilder Worcestershire project manager, commented “We’re delighted to have been awarded this funding, which will allow us to support even more groups to help wildlife on their patches, whether that’s allotments, neglected green spaces or areas around faith or other community buildings.

“We’re really looking forward to meeting people who are passionate about helping nature in their local area and giving them the support they need to set up and run successful community groups and events. If you are part of a local group and would like any help or advice, we’d love to hear from you.

“This is the largest community project that the Trust has ever undertaken and we’re really excited about how we can help and support communities to make a real difference for both wildlife and themselves.

“Many thanks to the players of the National Lottery who make funding like this possible. Thanks also to the trustees of Worcestershire Wildlife Trust who recognise that supporting communities to help nature is so important that they’ve also invested £150,000 of Trust funds to complement funding from the Heritage Fund.”