£50,000 available for nature recovery projects in South Oxfordshire
South Oxfordshire District Council has created a £50,000 fund to increase biodiversity and encourage public access to green spaces in the district.
In a new partnership with Trust for Oxfordshire’s Environment (TOE), the money will be given as grants through TOE’s Local Environment Fund to help boost local nature recovery efforts and reduce the impacts of climate change.
Community groups, town and parish councils, charities and non-profit organisations are invited to apply to TOE for funds to help look after South Oxfordshire’s green spaces. Grants ranging between £1,000 and £15,000 can be used for tree and hedgerow planting or restoring community orchards, ponds, and nature-rich meadows.
Grants could also be used to improve access to nature for the public to enjoy and learn from. This could include replacing stiles with gates for better accessibility and improving pathways.
The new fund uses money from Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) paid by developer contributions.
Early applications are encouraged, so any South Oxfordshire based group involved in protecting and restoring their local environment should contact TOE to find out more.
Cllr Freddie van Mierlo, South Oxfordshire District Council Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Nature Recovery, said: “We are looking to improve access to green spaces and create new wildlife areas in our local communities as this is proven to increase people’s wellbeing and their knowledge of the natural world.
“We want to hear from local groups and town and parish councils looking for help with projects which help promote biodiversity and reduce the impacts of climate change and improve access to nature.
“We’re partnering with TOE to administer these grants as they have specialist knowledge and experience to help develop, evaluate and monitor good quality biodiversity projects.”
Ben Heaven Taylor, chief executive of TOE, said: “We know grants from TOE make all the difference to grass-roots projects which might not otherwise happen so are pleased we can now support even more projects. The grants we will be awarding from SODC’s CIL funds will help transform local aspirations for environmental improvements into reality.”
Notes to editors
Find out what South Oxfordshire is doing by visiting its Action on Climate and Nature pages.
The Trust for Oxfordshire’s Environment (TOE) was established in 2011 as an independent environmental funder for Oxfordshire. It raises funds and allocate grants to support a better future for people, wildlife and the planet.
Detailed guidance and application forms are on www.trustforoxfordshire.org.uk/local-environment-fund. The first deadline application deadline is 2 October 2023, then 8 January 2024. Submissions close at midday.
To check that your project idea meets TOE’s funding criteria, contact Rachel Sanderson, Local Environment Fund grant administrator admin@trustforoxfordshire.org,uk and 01865 407003.
