Share your views on the future funding of our heritage
Wednesday 13th April 2011
The Wildlife Trusts are urging people to highlight the importance of Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) investing funds in our natural heritage - before its consultation closes on Tuesday 26 April.
The HLF is asking people across the UK what is important to them and how their increased funds should be invested in the future. £300m is set to be allocated to the UK’s heritage, annually, from 2013.
Hazel Phillips, Head of Marketing for The Wildlife Trusts, said:
“The consultation is a superb opportunity for people to express their views about where this funding should go. With an increasing emphasis on nature’s recovery, there will be a greater imperative for funds to benefit the natural environment and, in turn, local communities. At a time when challenges for local organisations are growing and available resources are decreasing, nature needs more lottery money to aid its recovery. We ask everyone who cares about our natural heritage to have their say.
“This fabulous programme could see substantial and much needed money put into real conservation. The Wildlife Trusts are working to restore and revive some of the UK’s most precious habitats, providing a safe haven for wildlife for generations to come. We are involving landowners, farmers and local communities in rural and urban areas – for the benefit of wildlife and people.”
Dame Jenny Abramsky, Chair of HLF, said: “As a Lottery funder awarding money raised by Lottery players, HLF believes people are at the heart of sustaining heritage in good condition and our money should make a difference for both heritage and communities. In our public questionnaire, we’re asking people for their personal views on what we fund and what we might do differently, as well as asking about people’s local heritage. We can only devise the very best strategy by listening closely to all those people who are enthusiastic about the UK’s heritage.”
We ask everyone who cares about our natural heritage to have their say.
During the past 16 years, HLF has supported more than 30,000 projects allocating over £4.5bn across the UK. HLF has invested in wildlife and nature conservation and cultural traditions, archaeology, languages and dialects to museums, archives, places of worship and historic parks. The Wildlife Trusts have achieved great conservation successes with £100m from HLF over 16 years. We have been working to protect and restore nature across the UK and helping people understand the value of our natural heritage and its importance to everyone’s future.
HLF investment has also created jobs, attracted tourists and contributed to economic regeneration. HLF projects have given local people the chance to develop a range of new skills and train as volunteers, which is both fun and rewarding.
If you wish to express your personal views on HLF funding in the future, please complete the questionnaire http://survey.euro.confirmit.com/wix4/p592976157.aspx. You might like to visit www.hlf.org.uk/consultation2011 to find out more and view the consultation video too.
Story by RSWT
More Information
Anna Guthrie, Media & PR Manager, The Wildlife Trusts
Office: 01636 670075 / Mobile: 07887 754659 / Email: aguthrie@wildlifetrusts.org
Tanya Perdikou, Media & Campaigns Officer, The Wildlife Trusts
Office: 01636 670057 / Mobile: 07887 754657 / Email: tperdikou@wildlifetrusts.org
Natasha Ley, Media and Government Relations Manager, Heritage Lottery Fund
Office: 020 7591 6143 / Email: natashal@hlf.org.uk