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£294,000 Grant Received – Recovery Challenge Fund

The Chiltern Society and Chilterns Conservation Board receives grant of £294,000 from the government’s Green Recovery Challenge Fund

  • The Chiltern Society and the Chilterns Conservation Board’s project: “Chalk Streams and wetland meadows: guarding the irreplaceable for people and nature” receives grant from the Green Recovery Challenge Fund

The Chiltern Society and the Chilterns Conservation Board’s project: “Chalk Streams and wetland meadows: guarding the irreplaceable for people and nature” have been awarded a grant from the government’s £40 million Green Recovery Challenge Fund.

The grant will fund a suite of schemes developed by the Chilterns Chalk Streams Project (CCSP) focussing on chalk streams and wetland habitats across the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The work will combine practical restoration and enhancement with education and engagement projects. The Chilterns Conservation Board and the Chiltern Society, two key partners of the CCSP, will be working together to deliver this exciting project.

The grant will enable the creation of two jobs with the Chiltern Society, and increases the capacity and resilience of other NGOs and voluntary groups, including Revive the Wye, Benson Environment Group and Chiltern Rangers CIC. By connecting nature and people, we aim to secure a healthy future for chalk streams and for the people, communities and businesses of both the Chilterns AONB, and nearby urban areas.

The Chilterns’ chalk streams are a globally rare and threatened habitat and a critical component of our natural capital: they support a wide diversity of plants and animals, boast a rich, cultural heritage, provide opportunities for recreation and relaxation as well as providing fresh water to local communities. Yet our chalk streams are widely regarded as the most threatened, suffering from the impacts of pollution, high water use, urban development invasive species and climate change. The public is largely unaware of their significance and value in contributing to the health of local people and to the Chilterns natural environment.

Elaine King, Chief Executive Officer, The Chilterns Conservation Board said: “We are delighted to be awarded this funding, which creates two jobs with a key partner, the Chiltern Society, and increases the capacity and resilience of the Chilterns Chalk Streams Project and other local organisations.  By connecting nature and people, we aim to secure a healthy future for chalk streams and for the people, communities and businesses of both the Chilterns AONB, and nearby urban areas.”

Tom Beeston, Chiltern Society Chief Executive said: “We are delighted to be working in such close partnership with the Chilterns Conservation Board and other partners on this critical project. It provides a much needed and immediate boost in activity of works to protect our internationally rare and endangered chalk stream habitats. Longer term, it facilitates the building of volunteer capacity to continue that much needed protection and awareness building for chalk streams and wetlands over the coming decades.”

In the first phase of the Green Recovery Challenge Fund, the Government announced grants between £62,000 and £3.8 million, to help create and retain thousands of green jobs. The projects, spread across England, will see trees planted and protected landscapes and damaged habitats such as moorlands, wetlands and forests restored, alongside wider conservation work. The projects will also support environmental education and connecting people with green spaces.

The Green Recovery Challenge Fund is a key part of Prime Minister’s 10 Point Plan to kick-start nature recovery and tackle climate change.  The fund will be delivered by The National Lottery Heritage Fund in partnership with Natural England and the Environment Agency.

Environment Minister Rebecca Pow said: “The sheer breadth and potential of these projects to restore and transform our landscapes, boost nature and create employment is tremendously exciting. It is a key first step to helping the nation to build back greener from coronavirus.

“I encourage environmental organisations to keep abreast of updates around the fund so we can work together to address the twin challenges of biodiversity loss and climate change to create and retain jobs, helping the conservation sector to contribute to our green recovery.”

Ros Kerslake, Chief Executive, National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: “I am delighted that we are distributing the Green Recovery Challenge Fund on behalf of Defra and working alongside our partners at Natural England and the Environment Agency. We are committed to supporting the nature and environment sector quickly and effectively through this Fund.”

Notes for Editors:

  1. The Chilterns Conservation Board is an independent public body set up following the passing of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act, 2000, to conserve and enhance the natural beauty and increase awareness and understanding of the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). The Board, which also aims to foster the social and economic wellbeing of local communities, employs a staff team of 27 that works in partnership with local authorities, voluntary organisations, businesses, local communities and others who live and work in the Chilterns.
  2. The Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) was designated in 1965 and covers 833 sq kms (326 sq miles) stretching from Goring, in Oxfordshire, to near Hitchin, in Hertfordshire. A home and workplace for over 80,000 people, the Chilterns AONB is the third largest AONB in England and is designated as one of the finest landscapes in the country.
  3. The Chiltern Society is a charitable organisation which was established over 50 years ago and is now supported by 7000 members. It manages 12 conservation sites and have 500 volunteers who work tirelessly to maintain and improve the Chilterns for the benefit of both residents and visitors alike.
  4. The Chilterns Chalk Streams Project is a partnership of statutory agencies, local authorities and voluntary bodies committed to conserving the chalk stream environment. The Project aims to conserve and enhance all major chalk streams in the Chilterns AONB and to encourage enjoyment and understanding of them.
  5. The Green Recovery Challenge Fund is a short-term competitive fund to kick-start environmental renewal whilst creating and retaining a range of jobs. It is open to environmental charities and their partners to deliver projects in England. The aim of the fund is to support projects that are ready to deliver and focus on nature restoration, nature-based solutions and connecting people with nature, delivering against the goals of the Government’s 25 Year Environment Plan (25YEP), whilst helping to sustain and build capacity in the sector.
  6. The £40million fund has been developed by Defra and its Arm’s-Length Bodies, including Natural England, Forestry Commission, Environment Agency and others. The National Lottery Heritage Fund is distributing and monitoring this government money.

Further information

For further information, images and interviews please contact Vicki Pearce, Communications Officer at the Chilterns Conservation Board at vpearce@chilternsaonb.org.

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27th JULY 2021

Photo credit: Allen Beechey

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