A new Nature Recovery Fund has been launched today (28 November) to help protect and restore local wildlife and habitats across Westmorland and Furness.
A total of £50,000 is now available from Westmorland and Furness Council for projects that aid in the recovery of one or more priority species or control/eradicate key invasive non-native species listed in the recently published Cumbria Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS), or that support pollinators across the area.
Organisations and partnerships can apply for grants of between £5,000 and £20,000, which can be used to partially or fully support projects that make a measurable difference to nature recovery efforts within Westmorland and Furness.
The Nature Recovery Fund aims to support projects that:
Restore, enhance, create, or connect habitats to support pollinators or one or more LNRS priority species.
Undertake bespoke actions to support LNRS priority species.
Support the removal of invasive non-native species (INNS) as listed in the Cumbria LNRS.
Conduct research to inform and support future species recovery.
Activities could include habit enhancement, restoration and/or creation works; purchase and installation of infrastructure such as swift boxes, bat boxes and trail cameras; baseline surveys; purchase of equipment to directly support the removal of INNS such as that used for direct removal/eradication; reintroduction of pollinators or priority species to their former habitats, supporting existing populations, or helping species adapt to environmental changes; and research and development.
Applications are now open until Friday 30 January 2026. Eligible organisations and groups are encouraged to apply for funding to help drive forward species recovery across the area: https://www.westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk/your-environment/climate-change-and-natural-environment
Councillor Giles Archibald, Westmorland and Furness Council Cabinet Member for Climate, Biodiversity and Environmental Services, said:
"We're delighted to launch the Nature Recovery Fund which will enable local organisations and partnerships to take meaningful action for nature.
"This fund reflects the council's commitment to being 'ecologically aware', one of our core values, and to leading the way towards becoming carbon net zero while protecting and enhancing our natural environment for future generations.
"Supporting the recovery of priority species and pollinators is key to delivering our Nature Strategy and Cumbria's Local Nature Recovery Strategy, helping us to create a more resilient and biodiverse Westmorland and Furness.
"Everyone has a role to play in nature recovery. Nature restoration will only be possible through a huge collective effort across our communities, involving the public and private sectors, landowners, voluntary organisations and local residents working together to create connected habitats and thriving ecosystems that benefit everyone.
"We encourage any organisation or partnership with a project that can make a real difference to apply and be part of restoring the natural balance of our local ecosystems."
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