Projects boosting biodiversity and green infrastructure, improving water quality and minimising the impact of wildfires are set to benefit from more than £11 million of Welsh Government funding.
This was published under the 2016 to 2021 administration of the Welsh Government
11 projects across Wales are currently finalising their plans to receive funding as part of the first stages of larger scale projects supported under the Enabling Natural Resources and Well-Being in Wales grant scheme.
As part of World Environment Day (5 June), Minister Lesley Griffiths will be meeting with young people who have been striking over climate change, as well as speaking at an event with WWF Cymru and RSPB Cymru at the Senedd.
The projects gaining funding are being revealed to demonstrate the efforts being made to support the environment and the benefits it can bring for people and communities across Wales.
It is hoped that investing in green infrastructure will improve the rural and urban environment, as well as support the development of resilient ecological networks.
The grants to support environmental enhancements linked to improving well-being will also benefit from more than £2.2 million of match funding.
Welsh Government will be providing grants between the range of £500,000 and £2.8 million for a maximum duration of 3 years.
Projects that will benefit from funding include:
- a project aiming at halting and reversing biodiversity decline and increasing ecosystem resilience in South East Wales.
- a project to improve green infrastructure and create structural tree planting, to reduce the noise and air pollution effects of heavy traffic within Wrexham to care for their green space.
- a project based at the Llanishen and Lisvane Reservoirs will create a hub for health and wellbeing, reconnecting people with water and the environment; whilst maintaining, protecting and enhancing the ecological value of the site.
- a project aiming to make a long-term, sustainable difference to nature recovery through co-ordinating and enabling informed, evidence-driven collaborative action.
- a project that will restore a network of meadows and engage directly with 20,000 people, being delivered through three complementary programmes which connecting people with local meadows, improve management and skills and leave a valuable legacy of resources for the future.
Last week Chief Whip Jane Hutt announced at the Hay Festival that a pan-Wales project increasing the well-being of people, biodiversity and the environment, throughout Wales, using three interconnected work packages, will benefit from £996,999 as part of the grant scheme.
Further projects set to benefit from funding will be revealed in the near future.
Minister for Environment, Energy and Rural Affairs, Lesley Griffiths, said:
These projects will make a difference to the environment around us across Wales. As well as the ecological and biodiversity benefits, the enhancement works will also improve the general mental and physical well-being of communities who are able to enjoy them.
“Through volunteer networks and partnership programmes communities will be able to have a direct impact on their local environment, taking responsibility and enhancing the green spaces and natural resources around them.
“This investment in green infrastructure will be felt by many generations to come and is part of our commitment to supporting the environment in every way we can. It is imperative that we take the opportunity to support biodiversity and environmental projects so they can be sustainable and flourish in future years.