A groundbreaking £13 million investment through Natural England’s Species Recovery Programme is making a significant impact in conserving rare and threatened species across the UK. Running from August 2023 to March 2025, the Capital Grants Scheme has funded vital conservation efforts designed to help species such as the water vole, oystercatcher, lady’s slipper orchid, hazel dormouse, and Atlantic salmon recover and thrive.
In Somerset and North Somerset, two innovative projects have received funding under the scheme. The Wilder Woodlands project, in partnership with Avon Wildlife Trust, was awarded £398,000 to restore the North Somerset and Mendip Special Area of Conservation. The project focuses on enhancing habitats for greater and lesser horseshoe bats, barbastelles, and dormice by transforming uniform plantation woodlands into diverse, well-structured habitats that allow more light and support native species. Grazing by seven Dexter cattle and goats helps promote insect populations, serving as a crucial food source for bats. This project has also conducted detailed species surveys, established a local steering group including landowners, and engaged the community through 250 volunteer conservation days, training sessions, and guided nature walks.
Meanwhile, the Cam and Wellow Eel Project, managed with the Bristol Avon Rivers Trust and funded with £175,000, has installed eel tiles to aid migration along the River Wellow and plans to remove two weirs on the Cam Brook to improve river connectivity. Additional barriers on the Midford Brook at Dunkerton have been removed to assist lamprey movement, and discussions are ongoing to identify more sites for barrier removal to enhance aquatic habitats.
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Tony Juniper, Chair of Natural England, highlighted the scheme’s success at a recent event in Warwickshire, emphasizing the importance of collaboration and ambition in reversing nature’s decline. “With the right targeted actions, funding, and collective effort, we can dramatically improve ecosystems and bring species back from the brink,” he said. Juniper called for increased involvement from volunteers, the private sector, and new projects, alongside broader environmental improvements like pollution reduction.
The programme has not only benefited wildlife but also engaged the public extensively. More than 80,000 people participated in 465 educational events and activities, while volunteers contributed nearly 100,000 hours of conservation work, valued at over £1 million. Additionally, the initiative has supported around 60 full-time conservation jobs, providing a boost to the green economy.
With the upcoming publication of the government’s revised Environmental Improvement Plan expected to set new targets for species recovery, projects like these demonstrate the significant progress possible when communities, organizations, and government work together to safeguard the UK’s natural heritage.