Networks For Nature
In the biggest funding boost that the zoo has ever secured we’re delighted to announce that we have secured £4,073,372 from National Lottery Heritage Fund to support this ambitious project.
Networks for Nature spans around 60 square miles from the River Dee to the River Mersey, including Chester and Ellesmere Port. This is a collaborative partnership project working with Cheshire West and Chester Council, The Land Trust, Cheshire Wildlife Trust, Canal and River Trust, and Sustrans, with the aim to drive nature recovery in a mixed-use landscape, creating diverse habitats for species to thrive now and for years to come.
We will empower communities to have an active role in conservation action and stewardship and will focus on making nature more accessible to and inclusive for everyone to enable connection and improve wellbeing.
The project has also benefits from funding from Westminster Foundation, Lord Leverhulme's Charitable Trust, Marjory Boddy Charitable Trust and Sykes Cottages.
We’re now recruiting for a brand-new team to deliver this amazing project. If you think you have what it takes to bring this vision to life then check out the roles available.
Project objectives
Creating and connecting diverse habitats for species to thrive now and for the future.
and inclusive for everyone – creating connections and improving wellbeing.
Supporting their stewardship of their natural heritage.
Establishing strong partnerships to support the work and legacy of Networks for Nature into the future.
Over the next 3.5 years, funding from National Lottery Heritage Fund will enable us to:
- Restore/create 20 ponds, nearly 3,000m of hedgerow and over 100 hectares of various habitats for UK wildlife to flourish
- Engage over 4,500 students in year-long school projects that include improving their school grounds for wildlife and people
- Train 90 young people through the Environmental Leadership Course
- Provide in-depth support to 18 community groups to enable them to improve their grounds for natural heritage and use the spaces created.
- Support a Network of trained Wildlife Champions, empowering action in over 100 more community groups or organisations.
- Provide a programme of green social prescribing and work with 6 GPs to increase understanding of the benefits of nature connection for health and wellbeing.
- Engage over 700 people in volunteering opportunities including hands-on conservation action and wildlife recording for citizen science.
- Host an annual Nature Festival at Chester Zoo – this year taking place on 13th & 14th September.
Networks for Nature is only possible through partnership and collaboration with groups, communities and organisations committed to protecting and restoring nature. Here’s some of the key partners we’re working with and what they will deliver:
• Cheshire West and Chester Council will improve three nature parks for people and wildlife and will support with habitat improvements across the region including at the Chester Wetland.
• Cheshire Wildlife Trust will work with landowners and farmers within the project area to both create and restore habitats. They will also improve access and interpretation at their Gowy Meadows Nature Reserve.
• The Canal and River Trust will create two community nature spaces along the canal and will deliver habitat improvements including removal of invasive species and hedge planting and laying.
• The Land Trust is working in collaboration to create Chester Wetland, a biodiverse wetland habitat at the heart of the Countess of Chester Country Park. This project will support habitat creation, access and interpretation.
• Sustrans will take action along the Greenway which is part of the National Cycle Network.
Partners and collaborators
Funders
We have bold plans to bring people together through our community participation programmes - connecting schools, local groups, businesses, and private landowners in exciting new ways. The full budget for this ambitious plan is more than £5 million so as a not-for-profit zoo we’re still seeking more support. If you’re keen to help us reach our goals, get in touch!
GET INVOLVED
· A key part of Networks for Nature is our work with schools. Funded by the Westminster Foundation, the Greener Futures Programme works with schools across the Chester region to connect young people to nature and support the development of habitat creation in their school grounds. Over the course of the academic year we:
- Deliver a whole school curriculum-linked project, alongside training for staff, Family Wildlife Clubs and hands on conservation action in the school grounds.
- Invite you to join our growing teacher network to provide ongoing training and support.
- Support your school with trips to the Zoo.
- Provide funding for resources that will enable the continuation of nature engagement programmes in your school.
Thanks to funding from National Heritage Lottery Fund, we can now expand our programme to local secondary schools.
To find out more about the programme please email our Schools Engagement Officer - a.cunningham@chesterzoo.org