Southwark sets aside £500k for a dozen deserving nature projects
Twelve local biodiversity projects in Southwark which aim to improve the natural environment and create new habitats for local wildlife, have been awarded grants.
A total of £550,000 has been set aside by the council for the schemes across the borough on estates, schools and parks.
Southwark Biodiversity Fund launched in October last year, offering grants ranging from £15,000 to £120,000 to non-profit groups in the borough.
The chosen projects are for new wildlife ponds in parks and investment in neighbourhood nature reserves, the creation of new green spaces on estates, a new green roof on a set of garages and a project to reunite the ancient and popular woodlands of Sydenham Hill Wood and Dulwich Wood.
All the projects have opportunities for local residents to get involved – including nature talks, mini-habitat kits, workshops and intergenerational gardening days.
Councillor John Batteson, cabinet member for climate emergency, jobs and business said: “We’re delighted to award these grants to an inspiring and exciting set of nature-recovery projects that stretch across the borough. It was amazing to see the number of applications we received, and we were blown away by the enthusiasm and ideas in our communities.
“By supporting local, community-led projects we will create meaningful and lasting biodiversity improvements across the borough that also make us more resilient to climate change. We can’t wait to see how our local plants and wildlife thrive in these habitats and green spaces.”
Jo Young, Principal from Harris Girls East Dulwich, said “We are very excited to receive funding from the Southwark Biodiversity Fund to transform our underutilized Peace Garden and adjacent stream area into a vibrant, biodiverse space for relaxation, learning, and community connection.
“Our organisation is committed to creating green, welcoming spaces that support our students, our local community and the natural environment, and this project will allow us to introduce a rich variety of flowering plants, herbs, and trees to encourage wildlife and biodiversity.”
After receiving 32 applications amounting to £1,564,000, the council undertook a rigorous assessment process to whittle this down to the successful 12 projects totalling £550,000.
These applications came from a diverse range of organisations, including charities, TRAs, community organisations and schools. Applications included enhancements on school grounds, on housing estates, in parks, highways, and other public spaces.
A key part of the decision-making process also included input from Southwark’s Youth Parliament, who took up two places on the award panel which ranked the applications according to a scoring criteria.
Cllr Gavin Edwards, Labour councillor for Nunhead & Queen’s Road, said: “Labour is boosting the environment in Nunhead and it is great to see Friends of Nunhead Cemetery receiving funding to restore and expand the cemetery pond.
“As local Labour councillors we are committed to helping local wildlife thrive, making our borough cleaner and greener now and into the future.”
Picture: Southwark council
