Deadline: 31-Aug-2026
The Nature and Biodiversity Community Grant Scheme 2026 supports projects that protect and enhance biodiversity, improve habitats, strengthen ecosystems, and increase community engagement with nature across Herefordshire. Grants ranging from £500 to £10,000 are available, with larger awards of up to £35,000 considered for projects delivering significant environmental and community benefits. Eligible applicants include non-profit organizations, community groups working through eligible partners, businesses, charities, and parish councils based in Herefordshire.
Overview
The Nature and Biodiversity Community Grant Scheme 2026 aims to support environmental projects that deliver long-term benefits for wildlife, habitats, ecosystems, and local communities throughout Herefordshire.
The scheme encourages initiatives that improve biodiversity, restore natural habitats, strengthen ecological networks, and create opportunities for residents to engage with and learn about the natural environment. Projects should generate lasting environmental impact while promoting community participation, conservation awareness, and climate resilience.
Funding is available for practical, implementation-focused projects that contribute to nature recovery and ecosystem enhancement.
Key Focus Areas
Projects should contribute to one or more of the following priorities:
- Protection and enhancement of biodiversity.
- Improvement of high-priority habitats.
- Wildlife conservation and species protection.
- Ecosystem restoration and resilience.
- Community engagement with nature.
- Climate adaptation within biodiversity projects.
- Sustainable land and habitat management.
- Environmental education and awareness.
- Nature-based solutions for climate resilience.
- Creation of volunteering opportunities.
- Enhancement of public access to natural spaces.
- Promotion of sustainable and locally sourced materials.
Priority Habitats and Ecosystems
The grant particularly supports projects that improve or restore:
- Wetlands.
- Traditional orchards.
- Woodlands.
- Meadows.
- Grasslands.
- Open habitats.
- Wildlife corridors.
- Community nature areas.
- Ponds and aquatic ecosystems.
- Hedgerows and associated habitats.
Projects that contribute to the long-term protection and management of these habitats are strongly encouraged.
Wildlife and Species Conservation Priorities
Eligible projects may focus on:
- Protection of local wildlife.
- Conservation of protected species.
- Habitat creation for native species.
- Pollinator-friendly planting.
- Bird conservation initiatives.
- Bat conservation projects.
- Hedgehog habitat protection.
- Wildlife rehabilitation and recovery.
- Strengthening ecological connectivity through wildlife corridors.
The scheme prioritizes projects that deliver measurable benefits for biodiversity and native species populations.
Funding Information
- Funding Program: Nature and Biodiversity Community Grant Scheme 2026
- Geographic Focus: Herefordshire
- Standard Grant Range: £500 to £10,000
- Exceptional Grant Amount: Up to £35,000
- Match Funding Requirement: Not mandatory
- Additional Support: Financial and in-kind contributions are encouraged
- Project Focus: Biodiversity enhancement, habitat restoration, wildlife conservation, and community engagement
Eligible Activities and Projects
Funding may support projects such as:
- Tree planting and management.
- Native hedge planting and restoration.
- Wildlife corridor creation and enhancement.
- Installation of bird boxes.
- Installation of bat boxes.
- Installation of bug hotels and insect habitats.
- Construction of hedgehog homes.
- Wildlife protection and rehabilitation activities.
- Wildflower meadow creation.
- Native wildflower planting.
- Wetland restoration.
- Pond creation and enhancement.
- Community nature area development.
- Habitat management equipment.
- Equipment for planting and ongoing maintenance.
- Biodiversity education and learning initiatives.
- Volunteer-led environmental projects.
Projects should provide benefits that extend beyond a single growing season and contribute to long-term environmental improvements.
Native Planting and Sustainable Materials Requirements
Applicants should prioritize:
- Species native to the United Kingdom.
- Species that are locally appropriate for Herefordshire.
- Climate-resilient vegetation where suitable.
- Sustainable materials.
- Recycled materials where feasible.
- Locally sourced products and supplies.
- UK-grown plants and trees whenever possible.
Using native and locally adapted species helps strengthen ecosystem resilience and support local wildlife populations.
Long-Term Maintenance Requirements
Projects must demonstrate that habitats, planting schemes, and biodiversity improvements will be maintained over time.
Applicants should:
- Secure maintenance arrangements for at least five years.
- Explain who will be responsible for ongoing management.
- Outline long-term monitoring and maintenance plans.
- Demonstrate capacity to sustain project benefits beyond the grant period.
Strong maintenance plans are essential for ensuring lasting environmental impact.
Community Engagement and Learning Opportunities
The scheme encourages projects that actively involve local communities through:
- Volunteer opportunities.
- Environmental education programmes.
- Community planting events.
- Nature conservation workshops.
- Biodiversity awareness campaigns.
- Citizen science initiatives.
- School and youth engagement activities.
- Public access improvements to natural areas.
Projects that combine ecological outcomes with community participation are particularly encouraged.
Who is Eligible?
Eligible applicants include:
- Registered charities.
- Community Interest Companies (CICs).
- Parish councils.
- Formally constituted non-profit organizations.
- Businesses based in Herefordshire.
- Community-based environmental organizations.
- Conservation groups.
Informal groups may also apply if:
- They partner with an eligible non-profit organization.
- The partner organization acts as the lead applicant.
- The lead applicant accepts responsibility for project management and grant administration.
Applicant Requirements
Applicants must demonstrate:
- A written constitution, governing document, or mission statement.
- An elected committee or steering group.
- A bank account in the same name as the applying organization.
- Organizational capacity to deliver the proposed project.
- Long-term maintenance arrangements where relevant.
Applicants should also provide:
- Supplier quotations for proposed purchases.
- Evidence of costs through quotations or product links.
- Supporting documentation for items valued at £250 or more.
Ineligible Activities
The grant will not support:
- Projects with little or no public engagement.
- Routine operational or revenue costs.
- Standard staffing costs unless exceptional circumstances apply.
- Retrospective funding for completed activities.
- Projects required solely to meet planning permission obligations.
- Political activities or campaigns.
- Religious promotion activities.
- Discriminatory activities or practices.
- Activities without clear biodiversity or community benefits.
Applicants should ensure their proposals align closely with the scheme’s environmental and community objectives.
Why This Opportunity Matters
Biodiversity loss, habitat fragmentation, and climate change continue to threaten ecosystems and wildlife across local communities.
This grant scheme helps:
- Restore and enhance valuable habitats.
- Protect native wildlife and species.
- Improve ecosystem resilience.
- Support climate adaptation efforts.
- Strengthen community connections with nature.
- Create opportunities for environmental volunteering.
- Increase biodiversity awareness and education.
- Deliver long-term environmental improvements for future generations.
By supporting practical conservation projects, the scheme contributes to both ecological recovery and community wellbeing.
How to Apply
- Identify a biodiversity, habitat restoration, or environmental improvement project.
- Ensure the project aligns with the grant scheme priorities.
- Confirm organizational eligibility requirements.
- Develop a clear project plan with measurable outcomes.
- Secure long-term maintenance arrangements for at least five years.
- Obtain supplier quotations and cost estimates where required.
- Demonstrate how the project will benefit biodiversity and local communities.
- Include plans for community involvement, volunteering, or learning opportunities.
- Explain how sustainable and native materials will be used.
- Submit the completed application with all required supporting documentation.
Tips for Applicants
- Focus on projects with long-term biodiversity benefits.
- Prioritize native species and locally sourced materials.
- Demonstrate strong community participation.
- Include a realistic maintenance and management plan.
- Provide clear ecological outcomes and measurable benefits.
- Work with local environmental experts where appropriate.
- Secure additional funding or in-kind contributions if possible.
- Include evidence-based approaches to habitat restoration and species conservation.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Failing to provide long-term maintenance arrangements.
- Using non-native or unsuitable plant species.
- Submitting incomplete quotations or cost information.
- Proposing projects with limited public engagement.
- Focusing solely on short-term outcomes.
- Requesting retrospective funding.
- Failing to demonstrate biodiversity benefits.
- Omitting plans for volunteer or community involvement.
- Providing unclear project budgets or timelines.
FAQ
What is the Nature and Biodiversity Community Grant Scheme 2026?
The scheme provides funding for projects that protect biodiversity, improve habitats, strengthen ecosystems, and increase community engagement with nature across Herefordshire.
How much funding is available?
Most grants range from £500 to £10,000. In exceptional cases, projects demonstrating substantial environmental and community benefits may receive up to £35,000.
Who can apply?
Eligible applicants include charities, Community Interest Companies, parish councils, businesses, and formally constituted non-profit organizations based in Herefordshire.
Can informal community groups apply?
Yes. Informal groups may apply through an eligible non-profit organization that serves as the lead applicant.
What types of projects can be funded?
Eligible projects include habitat restoration, tree and hedge planting, wildlife corridors, wildflower meadows, wetland creation, wildlife conservation initiatives, and community nature areas.
Is match funding required?
No. Match funding is not mandatory, although additional financial or in-kind support is encouraged.
Are there requirements for long-term maintenance?
Yes. Applicants should demonstrate that habitats, planting schemes, and biodiversity improvements will be maintained for at least five years.
Conclusion
The Nature and Biodiversity Community Grant Scheme 2026 provides valuable funding for organizations and community groups working to enhance biodiversity, restore habitats, and strengthen ecosystems across Herefordshire. With grants ranging from £500 to £10,000 and larger awards of up to £35,000 available for high-impact projects, the scheme supports practical environmental initiatives that deliver lasting ecological and community benefits. Organizations committed to wildlife conservation, habitat improvement, climate resilience, and community engagement have an important opportunity to contribute to nature recovery and environmental sustainability in Herefordshire.
For more information, visit Herefordshire Council.