We've secured £4 million funding to help Cheshire wildlife flourish
Funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund will help restore habitats and engage communities across the region.
We’re thrilled to announce that Chester Zoo has received a £4,073,372 boost from The National Lottery Heritage Fund to support our Networks for Nature initiative.
This exciting project will allow us to restore and create vital wildlife habitats across Cheshire, making a lasting difference to both local wildlife and the community.
The funding will go towards key initiatives, including restoring or creating 20 ponds, planting nearly 3,000 metres of hedgerow, and developing over 100 hectares of varied habitats. In addition, over 4,500 students will take part in year-long school projects to improve school grounds, while 90 young people will receive training through an environmental leadership course.
Thanks to National Lottery players, this generous funding will also help us create 14 new jobs, support 18 community groups with their own conservation projects, and maintain a network of trained ‘Wildlife Champions’ across the region.
We’re leading this project in partnership with a range of organisations, including Cheshire West and Chester Local Authority, Cheshire Wildlife Trust, the Canal and River Trust, Sustrans, and The Land Trust.
As a charity, we’re incredibly grateful for this funding, which represents a huge leap forward for Networks for Nature. It’s a thrilling moment for the project. We’ve worked hard to bring together the right partners and community groups to make a real difference in improving spaces for wildlife and people.
Now, we can support communities to take action that will have a lasting impact on both the environment and the people who live here.
Hannah Brooks, Senior Community Participation & Engagement Manager at Chester Zoo
The overall goal of Networks for Nature is to create a thriving landscape where both wildlife and people can thrive. This includes revitalising wetland areas for amphibians and birds, creating community nature spaces, and improving nature parks across the region.
We’re delighted to support Chester Zoo’s Networks for Nature project, thanks to money raised by National Lottery players. This initiative has already made remarkable progress in creating a wildlife-rich landscape that benefits both nature and people across Cheshire.
It’s crucial that we work together to rebuild and protect our natural heritage, ensuring its survival for future generations. We’re excited to see Chester Zoo and its partners leading the way in this shared goal.
Helen Featherstone, Director, England, North at The National Lottery Heritage Fund
Since launching, Chester Zoo has led green initiatives in schools, hosted networking events for local community groups, trained ‘Wildlife Champions’ in practical skills, and worked on establishing wellbeing walking routes through improved areas. This funding will enable us to expand these efforts even further.
Through our work with the Networks for Nature initiative, I’ve learned how to create a haven for wildlife and promote biodiversity. We’ve transformed some of our lawns into wildflower meadows to support pollinators, and we’re committed to continuing our work to support wildlife in Ellesmere Port.
Farhan Patel from Stamford Street Allotment Society in Ellesmere Port, a participant in the project
While the funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund is a fantastic step, the total budget for Networks for Nature exceeds £5 million. We’re still seeking additional support to help make this vital project a success.
