£6m Nature Fund will help halt decline of wildlife

15 May 2014 03:54 PM

Minister for Natural Resources, Alun Davies has set out how a £6m Nature Fund will be used to help halt the decline of wildlife and habitats in Wales 

The Minister said that the fund would support practical action to improve Wales’ environment and  called on owners, farmers, conservationists and other interested parties to work together to take advantage  of the funding and the associated economic and social benefits it could bring.

Alun Davies said:

“Last year’s State of Nature report was a big wake-up call and highlighted dramatic declines in a range of habitats and species across Wales.

“I am determined that we will use this £6m Nature Fund not just to tackle that decline, but also  to enhance Wales’ biodiversity and improve our environment – and crucially to do so in a way that supports the resilience of our communities and Wales’ economy.

“It is evident from the State of Nature report that traditional approaches to managing our biodiversity haven’t worked and that more joined up inclusive approaches are needed. That is why we have been working with organisations across Wales already engaged in the day-to-day business of managing our natural resources and have used the 460 plus  ideas we’ve received to develop the focus and priorities of the Nature  Fund.

“The fund will help us to deliver our commitment to the joined-up management of Wales’ natural resources and will complement our wider work to manage those resources in a way that improves our resilience and drives green growth.”

The Minister said that the £6m Nature fund would  be used to support activity in seven selected geographical areas or Nature Action Zones specially chosen because of the challenges and opportunities they present for biodiversity and Wales’ natural resource action. The Nature Action Zones are:

The fund will support practical actions that are appropriate to the needs of each of the seven Nature Action Zones and will fund activity that tackles the decline in our biodiversity while delivering environmental, economic and social benefit. It will also recognise projects that demonstrate innovation, collaboration and good practice.

Particular priority will be given to actions that improve river catchments, fisheries management and marine ecosystems, actions that enhance natural green spaces, actions that realise potential in the uplands and action that stimulates and develops the existing interest in a payment for eco systems service.

Over the coming weeks the Welsh Government will work with partners to refine project proposals that will be funded during this financial year.  

The Welsh Government and Natural Resources Wales will work closely with partners to deliver the Fund, which will complement work already underway in Natural Resources Wales’ three trial areas.

A small number of proposals outside of the Nature Action Zones will be considered if they demonstrate innovation and collaboration and can deliver key outcomes.

The Welsh Government will be holding events in the seven selected Nature Action Zones  in order to support the development of detailed projects. For more information on the fund please emailNaturalResourceManagement@wales.gsi.gov.uk

Links

Written Statement - Welsh Government Nature Fund