Wildlife Habitat Restoration Boosts Cherished Landscapes

Wildlife habitat restoration is set to advance significantly thanks to a newly announced government initiative, as revealed by Nature Minister Mary Creagh on Monday, May 25. The government is allocating £30 million to restore and create habitats rich in wildlife across England's most cherished landscapes, from the majestic Dartmoor to the rugged Lake District. These protected landscapes serve as crucial refuges for the most endangered species in the country, including hedgehogs, hazel dormice, water voles, and rare avian species such as curlews and turtle doves. The primary cause of their decline is habitat degradation. The Wildlife-Rich Habitat Fund aims to generate thousands of hectares of new habitats within England's National Parks, National Landscapes, and the Broads over the next three years. This initiative is designed to rejuvenate nature in the locations most beloved by the public. The ambitious scope of upcoming projects underscores the benefits of investing in habitat restoration. For instance, the Peak District National Park Authority, in collaboration with Staffordshire Wildlife Trust, volunteers, and contractors, is poised to begin revitalizing over 80 hectares of upland moorland at Gun Moor. This area has suffered years of degradation, with its deep peat drying out and wildlife fleeing. The project will restore 24 hectares of wet heath, rehydrate the deep peat, and create a new stretch of native woodland on the lower hills. More funding translates to more such projects getting underway. Minister Creagh stated, "Our national parks and protected landscapes harbor some of our most vulnerable species. The Wild Again funding is making a real impact on reversing their decline, resulting in more birdsong, meadows filled with bees and butterflies, and new areas of native woodlands." "We’re supporting this recovery with our highest ever nature budget, field by field, across England’s most beautiful landscapes." Mary-Ann Ochota, Independent Chair of the Protected Landscapes Partnership, remarked, "This multi-year investment in Wildlife-Rich Habitats is fantastic news. Teams managing Protected Landscapes can make informed decisions quickly, ensuring that local delivery partners receive support without delay. They possess in-depth knowledge of their areas, understanding the potential for transformative change to achieve the best outcomes." "Local, trust-building partnerships are essential. The result? Lively, wildlife-rich landscapes treasured and maintained by farmers, land managers, and local communities. This captures the true spirit of National Parks and Landscapes." Protected Landscape organizations will collaborate closely with other conservation groups, farmers, land managers, and local communities familiar with these vital landscapes. This announcement follows a £90 million investment made in March aimed at funding species recovery projects, marking the largest species recovery investment ever made by a government. This effort is part of the Wild Again initiative, striving to restore nature and reintroduce lost species, including beavers and white-tailed eagles. The Wildlife-Rich Habitat Fund is integral to the Wild Again campaign: Restoring England’s Wildlife, which seeks to halt species decline by 2030. The campaign unites species recovery and habitat restoration efforts across Defra and its associated bodies. This initiative supports commitments to conserve 30% of land for nature and aims to restore over 500,000 hectares of wildlife-rich habitats by 2042, in line with the Environment Act. Joan Edwards, Director of Policy and Public Affairs at The Wildlife Trusts, commented, "Generations have been inspired by the incredible wildlife found in England’s National Parks and Landscapes. Sadly, these connections to nature have weakened due to climate change, land use pressures, and pollution leading to widespread declines. The recent announcement of £30 million funding for wildlife restoration in protected landscapes is essential for reversing this trend and empowering communities to restore cherished habitats. With nature underpinning our economy, public health, and national resilience, much work remains to restore flourishing wildlife and meet critical Environment Act objectives. This funding marks a crucial step in achieving that goal." Martin Lines, CEO of the Nature Friendly Farming Network (NFFN), expressed, "This funding recognizes that farmers play a vital role in safeguarding and revitalizing the habitats that render our protected landscapes unique. The Farming in Protected Landscapes (FiPL) scheme has already demonstrated that productive farming and ecological recovery can coexist, fostering and maintaining habitats that support rare wildlife, enhance landscapes, and benefit local communities." "We wholeheartedly support this announcement, reinforcing the concept of farmers as essential partners in the restoration and protection of our cherished landscapes. With trust and support, farmers can lead nature recovery at a large scale." Additional information: - The Wildlife-Rich Habitat Fund allocates £30 million in dedicated funding—£10 million per fiscal year—from 2026 to 2029. - In the initial year, 36 out of England’s 44 Protected Landscapes will participate, with each funded project grounded in local priorities. - This funding will be managed within the existing Farming in Protected Landscapes (FiPL) programme framework. - The fund will not affect the farming budget or the Farming in Protected Landscapes program. - Priority will be given to projects aligned with management plans for Protected Landscapes and Local Nature Recovery Strategies. - The fund is part of a broader governmental initiative to restore nature, complementing the Environmental Improvement Plan, the Land Use Framework, and new legislation aimed at enhancing the goals and capabilities of National Parks and Landscapes. For more information, visit the [Government's official website](https://www.gov.uk/government/news/wildlife-habitat-in-most-cherished-landscapes-set-to-be-restored) or check out [World Wildlife Fund](https://www.worldwildlife.org) and [The Wildlife Trusts](https://www.wildlifetrusts.org). Explore more at [www.globemigrant.com/environment](https://www.globemigrant.com/environment) and [www.globemigrant.com/wildlife](https://www.globemigrant.com/wildlife).

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