Groups of people growing native UK flowers can now receive funding in their quest to protect endangered species and brighten the areas where they live. The national Grow Wild initiative, which is supported by the Big Lottery Fund and run by the Royal Botanic Gardens in London, is offering grants of up to £5,000 to help cover the cost of pioneering projects across the country.
It wants people to get together and preserve the nation’s wild flowers, many of which face an uncertain future as their natural habitats are being lost. More than half a million pounds will be made available over the next three years for groups who wish to develop schemes involving varieties native to the UK.
“We want groups who would like Grow Wild to help them realise a vision of transforming an unloved area into a wildlife friendly space,” said Claire Harcup, programme manager at Grow Wild.
“It could be anything from a garden that celebrates the area’s history and heritage to a project that simply brings unused space back to life for the benefit of local people.”
The £10.5 million initiative is seeking applications from groups – particularly those which involve youngsters – who wish to gain funding.
January 6 is the deadline for applications, with the successful sites to be announced in February.
