PRESS RELEASE

9 November 2009

CrBP SMALL PROJECTS GRANT SCHEME

The Cheshire region Biodiversity Partnership (CrBP) has announced the beneficiaries of its 2009 Small Projects Grant Scheme.

Grants of up to £1000 have been awarded for wildlife and conservation projects in the Cheshire region. The funding scheme is supported by CrBP along with Cheshire West and Chester Council and Cheshire East Council.

Projects that are working towards creating ‘A Cheshire richer in wildlife by 2020’ were eligible for the funding, which aims to help species and habitats that are considered vulnerable or declining in Cheshire and, in many cases, the UK.
Applications were considered by the Executive Group of the CrBP, including representatives from Cheshire Wildlife Trust, and beneficiaries of this year’s awards are:

• Wirral Barn Owl Trust for camera equipment and barn owl box material.
• BTCV for hedgerow work at Norley Rural Skills Centre.
• BTCV for orchard management at Norley Rural Skills Centre.
• Church Wood Conservation Group for hedgerow planting at Church Wood, Whitegate.
• The Friends of Caldy Nature Reserve for creating a pond at Caldy Nature Reserve.
• BTCV for wetland habitat work adjacent to Nantwich Riverside.

The grants will pay for costs of each project such as materials, research and surveys, habitat management, technical advice, on-site interpretation and training.

Sarah Bennett, Cheshire region Biodiversity Manager said: “The grants have been awarded to projects that will make a difference for wildlife and biodiversity in the Cheshire region.
“People local to these projects will hopefully see the benefits of the work as the projects develop over the next six months and if anyone would like to become more closely involved, these groups are always looking for volunteers, so they would be most welcome to join in!”.

To find out more about each of the projects please see www.cheshire-biodiversity.org.uk

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