A county council initiative is helping local communities make Leicestershire a cleaner, greener place to live, by offering cash support for a range of environmental projects.
Among the recent beneficiaries of the council’s SHIRE Environment Grant is the charity Naturespot, which received a £3000 cash boost.
Set up in 2009, NatureSpot’s dedicated volunteers, aided by local residents, log flowers and wildlife from buttercups to beetles, and have recently created 30 new parish pages on their award-winning website.
More than 35,000 records and over 22,000 images have already been submitted, which provide a unique insight into the wildlife seen by local people.
The council’s SHIRE Environment Grant offers up to £3,000 to support local projects that reduce carbon and household waste and also improve biodiversity and help to address climate change.
Recently, the Somerby and District Horticultural Society was awarded £258 to transform the Somerby Horse Pond into a blooming wonderful green space with over 70 plant species, including marsh marigolds and waterlilies.
Owned by Somerby Parish Council, the space has been given a biodiversity boost, which will allow for the creation of new habitats for a diverse variety of wildlife for all to enjoy and appreciate.
The SHIRE Environment Grant offers community groups and organisations the chance to create positive environmental change and help Leicestershire towards its goal of becoming a net zero county by 2045.
Everyone can play their part in this goal and I would encourage any local community group or project in the county to apply to make a real difference in their area
Person:Councillor Blake Pain, cabinet member for the environment and the green agenda
Community groups and organisations have just over two weeks left to apply for the latest round of SHIRE Environment Grants, with applications closing on October 29, 2021.
To be eligible for the grant, projects must be located in Leicestershire (not including Leicester or Rutland). A simplified application process is also available for smaller grants of up to £300.
For further information and how to apply, visit SHIRE Environment Grant or email environmentgrant@leics.gov.uk
Applications can also be made by calling the SHIRE Environment Grants Team on 0116 305 7005.