Butterfly Conservation has received a grant of £240,900 from the government’s Green Recovery Challenge Fund for Morecambe Bay’s Woodlands project. This is one of the first environmental projects to receive a grant from the government’s £80 million Fund.
The Green Recovery for Morecambe Bay’s Woodlands project will promote the recovery of threatened butterfly and moth species including:
- High Brown Fritillary
- Pearl-bordered Fritillary
- Duke of Burgundy
- (The rare) White-spotted Sable moth
It will do this by embracing a programme of innovative and sustainable habitat management. This will include cutting derelict coppice, restoring and reconnecting sunny rides and glades, removing non-native invasive tree species and creating new open woodland habitats for invertebrates through tree-planting, as well as restoring cattle-grazed wood pasture habitat.
A focus of the project is to engage with local community groups and colleges so they can learn about woodlands, butterflies and wellbeing. The project will connect with mental health support groups, NHS social prescribing and young people to facilitate their active participation in managing habitats, monitoring species and appreciating natural spaces.
The grants
Defra announced grants between £62,000 and £3.8 million in December, to help create and retain thousands of green jobs. The projects, spread across England, will see trees planted – 800,000 in total – and protected landscapes and damaged habitats such as moorlands, wetlands and forests restored, alongside wider conservation work. The projects will also support environmental education and connecting people with green spaces.
- 68 projects have been awarded grants between £62k and £3.8 million
- First funding round has seen a £40 million pot allocated. Second round of funding is due to open in early 2021.
You can read more about Butterfly Conservation’s Award on the website