The Mersey Forest receives grant of £1.3M from the Green Recovery Challenge Fund

The money will be used to boost nature recovery and connect more people to nature in Merseyside and Cheshire. Through the Community Forest Trust we will receive £1,326,700 to deliver 'More From Trees'.

The programme will improve biodiversity by creating new green corridors in Liverpool city centre, develop a specialist tree nursery for native tree species, improve habitats for a range of species, and deploy natural flood management in two catchments in Cheshire.

The project will also create a new green task force of retrained military veterans, and offer a range of nature-based activities to improve the health and well-being of local people.

'More from Trees' is one of ninety nature projects across England that have been awarded grants ranging from £68,100 to £1,950,000. Among them they aim to create and retain more than 1,000 green jobs, backed by the Government's £80 million Green Recovery Challenge Fund.

Mersey Forest Director, Paul Nolan OBE says:

"This support via the Green Recovery Challenge Fund will help us to deliver a portfolio of ambitious nature-boosting projects across Merseyside and Cheshire. 

From creating pollinator corridors around Liverpool City Centre, improving habitats within Bold Forest Park, to connecting more than 1000 people with nature-based activities, the programme will help us to work in partnership to deliver key elements of the Mersey Forest Plan. It will see us harnessing the wide range of benefits trees and woodlands can provide".

The Green Recovery Challenge Fund is a key part of the Prime Minister's 10-point plan to kick-start nature recovery and tackle climate change. Connecting people with nature is another priority theme: by increasing access to nature and greenspaces, projects will support both physical and mental wellbeing.

Natural England Chair Tony Juniper told us:

"Our environmental and conservation charity sector does an incredible job in protecting, improving and restoring the natural environment for the benefit of communities and the economy."

The Government's Green Recovery Challenge Fund was developed by Defra and its Arm's-Length Bodies.  The fund is being delivered by The National Lottery Heritage Fund in partnership with Natural England, the Environment Agency and Forestry Commission.

Ros Kerslake, Chief Executive, National Lottery Heritage Fund, added:

"From wetland restoration, to creating wildlife-rich habitat for bees, it is vital that we value, protect and rebuild our natural heritage. This new funding will not only allow projects to carry out direct conservation which is essential in protecting our biodiversity, but it will increase awareness of how and why we need to change our behaviours in order to protect our future."

The Mersey Forest will deliver it's 'More From Trees' project, with a wide range of partners including Community Forest Trust, Cheshire Wildlife Trust, the PATT Foundation, Liverpool City Council and Liverpool John Moore's University.  

Money raised by the National Lottery is used to inspire, lead and resource the UK's heritage to create positive and lasting change for people and communities, now and in the future. More information can be found at www.heritagefund.org.uk