More funding available
In the spring and summer 2009 issues of NBN News, OPAL announced the first of three rounds of funding available through its new grants scheme, a key part of the OPAL ‘Supporting and Enabling Natural History Societies Project’.
The project aims to build the capacity of societies and recording schemes in a number of ways. These include promotion at a regional and national level, enhancing their day-to-day operation and supporting their development and outreach activities. The first round of the grants scheme received applications from 100 societies and schemes, from which the project was able to fully fund 27 groups and part fund two (see below for a list of the successful groups).
Second round of funding
OPAL has announced that the second round of funding is now available and full application details can be found on its website. Societies and schemes can apply for grants of between £1000 and £4000. The deadline for applications is Tuesday 4 May 2010.
This year’s theme
The theme for applications this year is: ‘Extending your reach – inspiring a new generation of nature enthusiasts’.
The phrase ‘a new generation’ does not restrict applicants to working only with children, The next generation of nature 
enthusiasts may also include teenagers, students and adults of any age. OPAL aims to support public-facing projects that provide opportunities for new people to become actively involved with a society’s work, as well as encouraging new members to join. It also wants to support projects that will help increase awareness of societies and schemes within the wider public.
Applying to the OPAL Grants Scheme is quick and simple, and applicants are welcome to get in touch with the project directly for advice or help with their application.
Further details and how to apply can be found on the OPAL website, or by contacting Lucy Carter on 020 7942 5188 or at lucy.carter@nhm.ac.uk
The following groups received OPAL grants in 2009. Please see the OPAL website for details of their funded projects.
- Amateur Entomologists’ Society
- Auchenorrhyncha Recording Scheme
- British Arachnological Society
- British Pteridological Society
- Butterfly Conservation Sussex Branch
- Cranefly Recording Scheme in partnership with Buglife
- Derbyshire Amphibian and Reptile Group
- Dorset Bat Group
- Ephemeroptera Recording Scheme in partnership with Buglife
- Friends of Baddesley Common
- Friends of Burgess Hill Green Circle Network
- Friends of Markeaton Park
- Gloucestershire Naturalists’ Society
- Hampshire Fungus Recording Group
- Hampshire Ornithological Society
- Hardy Orchid Society
- Horsham Natural History Society
- Lincolnshire Naturalists’ Union
- London Natural History Society
- Norfolk and Norwich Naturalists’ Society
- Orpington Apiary Club
- Queckett Microscopical Club
- Risley Moss Action Group
- RSPB Gloucestershire Local Group
- Shropshire Bat Group
- Shropshire Botanical Society
- Sorby Natural History Society
- Sussex Amphibian and Reptile Group
- Tachinid Recording Scheme in partnership with the Amateur Entomologists’ Society
Written by Lucy Carter from the OPAL team
If you, or others you know, are interested in being the next generation of recorders, or if you want to encourage the next generation, remember the Darwin Guide to Recording Willdife. The NBN has produced this Guide specifically to help the next generation understand the ins and outs of getting involved in recording. Please have a look at the Guide – it may be just what you are looking for.