£3.78million for protected sites and species across Wales

£3.78million for protected sites and species across Wales - National Lottery Heritage Fund

Bats, oysters, bumblebees and other rare species will benefit from the second round of grants from the Nature Networks Fund.

Seventeen projects are receiving funding to help Wales’ network of protected land and marine sites to thrive, and encourage local communities to get involved in nature conservation.

We’re delivering the Nature Networks Fund (round two) on behalf of the Welsh Government and in partnership with Natural Resources Wales. The programme is supporting a range of projects that will aid nature’s recovery.

Jinx the biosecurity dog, who sniffs out threats such as rats at ‘bird islands’ off the Welsh coast. (Image: National Lottery Heritage Fund)

Bat conservation

The Bat Conservation Trust’s ‘Gobaith Coetir’ project in Gwynedd is receiving £227,603.

The grant will fund surveys monitoring bats at the Meirionnydd Oakwoods and Bat Sites Special Area of Conservation (SAC). The area in the Vale of Ffestiniog is a woodland Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).

Restoring oysters

The Zoological Society of London and Bangor University have been awarded £249,919 to run the ‘Restoring Wild Oysters to Conwy Bay’ project on the North Wales coast.

The two-year project is aiming to restore European native oyster habitat and a community of associated organisms.

Bumblebee habitats

The Bumblebee Conservation Trust’s ‘Connecting the Carmarthenshire Coast’ project is receiving £222,272.

The project will carry out surveys to provide an accurate picture of populations and habitat for bumblebee species in Carmarthenshire.

Andrew White, Director of The National Lottery Heritage Fund in Wales said: “Funding natural heritage projects which help tackle the effects of the climate crisis and support nature’s recovery is a key priority for The National Lottery Heritage Fund in Wales. From seabird biosecurity, eradicating Himalayan balsam and Japanese knotweed, to the reintroduction of wild oysters, these grants will help prevent further species and habitat declines, enhance capacity to adapt to the climate crisis and bring direct health benefits to the people and communities involved.”