Approximately 15 million pounds are allocated for the protection of habitats and endangered species, including rare bryozoans and crayfish. A total of 63 projects will receive financial support.
The selected projects are initiated by Natural England, an organization that advises the Ministry of Environment.
“Nature around us is declining, but it’s not too late,” says Chairman Tony Juniper. “We have seen that previous conservation projects have yielded results.”
In the upcoming round of funding, money will go towards the protection of local crayfish in North Yorkshire. They are affected by pollution and the arrival of the Californian crayfish, a species that is not native to Europe. The population of native freshwater crayfish in English waters has reportedly declined by approximately 70 percent in recent years.
In Lincolnshire, funds are allocated for the protection of a unique species of bryozoan, which is only about 1 millimetre in size. It is one of eleven bryozoan species found in the coastal area of Lincolnshire.
Additionally, money will be directed towards the restoration of natural grasslands, particularly to support endangered butterfly species. Projects aimed at the protection of certain species of lapwings, bats, and grasshoppers will also receive financial support.