The dormouse, rare orchids, orchards and even ponds are just some of England’s most threatened species and habitats set to benefit as Natural England announces today (Thursday 22 May) an extra £5 million to support wildlife recovery.
Announcing the new funding, Natural England's Chief Executive, Helen Phillips, said: “We continue to see declines in species such as the red squirrel, lapwing and starfruit, and their habitats. Halting these losses is vital, not just for our wildlife but because often they provide essential services such as clean water, flood management and carbon storage.”
The funding goes into a new grant scheme ‘Countdown 2010’ which shares its name with the international campaign which publicises the commitment by European governments to halt biodiversity loss by 2010.
The £5 million funding package over the next three years will work across two levels. It will fund projects that protect specific endangered species, but the selection criteria will also favour initiatives dedicated to the revival of habitats and species across large areas. The scheme is open to Voluntary Conservation Organisations who make a substantial contribution to Natural England’s lead role in safeguarding the natural environment.
“Through this scheme we will work with our partners to deliver real gains for biodiversity that will benefit us all. Countdown 2010 will make a real difference to the practical delivery of projects on the ground, help people to take part in enhancing their local environment and secure the benefits a healthy natural environment makes to all our lives,” concluded Helen Phillips.
These projects help target specific species and habitats in need of immediate action. The announcement of this extra funding illustrates Natural England’s commitment to begin its work to support some individual species under threat as outlined in Natural England State of the Natural Environment report published this week. Defra today also publishes an update of its priority list of threatened species and habitats in England.
This list contains 941 species, nearly twice the number on the previous list, including familiar species that have suffered rapid recent declines including the hedgehog and house sparrow. It also contains 56 habitats including traditional orchards and some brownfield habitats that are important for wildlife. The Countdown 2010 fund will target the species and habitats on this list.
Natural England’s Countdown 2010 Biodiversity Action Fund (BAF) will support projects carried out by Voluntary Conservation Organisations that directly contribute to the conservation of UK Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) priority habitats and species in England. All grants will be made for three years from 2008 to the end of March 2011. Grants will be awarded for a minimum of £25,000 and a maximum of £250,000 in each of the three years. Further details and an application form can be found on the Natural England website www.naturalengland.org.uk
Background information and regional case studies
For full details please see Natural England Press Release