Project which aims to connect people in Dudley with nature has received almost £100,000

A PROJECT aiming to connect more people in Dudley with nature has been awarded funding of almost £100,000.

Birmingham and Black Country Wildlife Trust has been awarded £99,605 for Dudley’s Path to Nature Recovery project.

It is among nine environmental projects awarded more than £400,000 from the West Midlands Combined Authority’s Community Environment Fund, which was set up using £1m of Commonwealth Games legacy money to support green projects led at the local level that protect nature, reduce waste and build communities. more resistant to the impact of climate change.

Dudley’s Path to Nature Recovery Project aims to help connect more people in Dudley and Sandwell to nature by creating new walking routes and improving wildlife habitats through the Black Country Geo Park.

Norman Dandy, Nature Recovery Director for Birmingham and Black Country Wildlife Trust, said: “The funding we have secured from the WMCA will enable us to support Dudley’s wildlife and support our local community to connect more strong with her.

“We will work with the district council and other local organizations to restore natural areas on the city’s hills, from Sedgley Beacon to Rowley Hills.

“Walking will be a central part of our work – it’s a fantastic way for people to connect with nature and discover new areas to visit on their doorstep.”

Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands and Chairman of the WMCA, added: “There are many community groups and regional organizations doing fantastic work to protect, improve and restore the natural environment and it’s great news that we can continue to support them with grants from the Fund our environmental community.

“Being able to access nature has such a positive impact on our health and well-being and it is becoming increasingly urgent that we take action to rethink waste by repairing and reusing products more and take practical action to help communities adapt to the effects of climate change.”

The Community Environment Fund was made possible by the £70m Commonwealth Games Legacy Enhancement Fund – the underspend from the 2022 Games which the government has agreed to reinvest back into the West Midlands to ensure the positive legacy is felt by as many people as possible. .

Community groups and regional organizations can still bid for money from the fund.

To find out how to apply visit www.wmca.org.uk/what-we-do/environment/community-environment-fund/.