WHAT HAS HLF DONE FOR NATURE

The aim of this research is to explore the strategic impact that HLF investment has had on landscapes, nature and the organisations that champion nature over the past twenty years. HLF has invested over £765 million in landscape and nature projects which includes funding to; restore and conserve threatened habitats; save species from extinction; help reconnect people to landscapes and nature; acquire land to improve its conservation; enhance urban biodiversity and green spaces; promote citizen science; engage volunteers; and support skill development. Grants awarded to support projects range from £3,000 to over £10million with projects spanning everything from engaging children in underwater safaris to restoring over 70 square miles of degraded peat bog in Scotland. HLF investment has also allowed grantees to develop and test new methodologies, to build new partnerships, to work at a larger scale, to attract additional match funding, to create new visitor infrastructure, to grow conservation organisations and to improve organisational resilience.

It is our hypothesis that National Lottery funding, distributed by HLF, has been transformational in the conservation of many landscapes and habitats, in supporting the many organisations that champion landscapes and nature, and in demonstrating the importance of reconnecting people to landscapes and nature through engagement and activities. The research will test our hypothesis that National Lottery funding from HLF has played a critical role in the past and will continue to be vital in future. Lastly the research will consider what role HLF could play in future in supporting landscape and nature on the UK mainland.

A full description is available in the attached documentation.