The Archdiocese has been made aware of two funding opportunities for wildlife in our parishes and communities. If your parish or community is eligible, please do apply for funding.

UK- wide: Coronation Woods 

Deadline for applications: 10am, Tuesday 26 September.

To celebrate the Kings Coronation, new Coronation Woods are being developed by Forestry England with additional funding from DEFRA.  Large-scale woodlands will be developed in England from April 2023 until March 2025.  It is hoped they will leave a lasting legacy for people and nature to enjoy.  

The project reflects the passion and concern shown for our wildlife, natural spaces and rural areas by The King throughout his life.

DEFRA will provide up to £2.5million in support to Local Authorities, Parish Councils and Housing Associations who will deliver local planting initiatives such as Community Orchards and smaller Wooded Areas.  

A “Tree Handout” scheme will be available for local residents to plant a tree in an area of their choosing.  The project is to provide a wide variety of wooded spaces which will allow communities to connect with nature on their doorstep.

The fund is now live and applications will be open until 10am on 26th September 2023.

The fund is made up of 2 schemes and local authorities can apply for one or both: 

• Coronation Micro Woods: enabling local authorities to plant miniature areas of rapidly establishing woodland in urban areas.
• Coronation Community Orchards: enabling local authorities to provide grants to local people and groups to establish community orchards. 

The fund allows planting to take place up until 31st March 2025.

Applications to the fund will be made via Atamis and the link is available on the GOV.UK page. Further information is available on Atamis in the Invitation To Apply (ITA) pack and ‘How To’ Guides.

Coronation Woods

Worcestershire: Natural Networks Programme

The Natural Networks Programme is a Worcestershire-wide scheme offering grants and advice to projects which aim to create or restore wildlife-rich habitats.

Deadline for applications: No set application deadline (fund ends March 2025) but only limited funds are available, so apply soon. 

The Natural Networks programme is a partnership between Worcestershire County Council and the Worcestershire Wildlife Trust.

The programme offers free professional Biodiversity surveys carried out by our partners the Worcestershire Wildlife Trust who will assess your project site and make recommendations on how to create or enhance your land to maximise habitats for wildlife.

Grants of £1,000 - £15,000 (representing 40% of the total project cost will be available to help you carry out the recommendations suggested in the survey.

The programme aim is to create a natural network of wildlife-rich habitats across Worcestershire that will enhance the quality of our blue and green infrastructure.

Eligibility

• 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.
• The programme is aimed at small and medium businesses, parish councils, charities, voluntary groups and public bodies
• You must be a recognised legal entity
• Grants are aimed at land/projects that are ineligible for the Countryside Stewardship award
• Project sites will be considered on land or water
• Total project costs must be a minimum of £2,500

Worcs natural networks programme 

 Find out more on the environment in the Archdiocese of Birmingham

Care for Creation