For the fourth year running, individuals, organisations and students are invited to apply for financial support from the Strategy for Nature Fund to support environmental initiatives that further the goals and objectives of the Strategy for Nature and help to address the drivers of change described in the State of Nature 2024 report.

Last year, eleven local environmental projects and two students benefitted from this funding. These projects included monitoring dolphins, interpretation boards at nature reserves, restoring coastal grassland and an assessment of sedimentary carbon stocks of Eelgrass beds, amongst other projects.

The fund was established in recognition that the Strategy for Nature is not simply a government document; it is a framework that requires support and action from the whole community to achieve its goals and objectives.

This year, with the recent release of the State of Nature 2024, applicants are encouraged to offer projects that help to address some of the drivers of change in the natural environment. These drivers of change include pollution, climate change and invasive non-native species, amongst others.

A total of £40,000 is donated through the fund in the form of grants, with £9,000 of that total dedicated specifically to a bursary for students completing graduate or post graduate degrees in a relevant subject with a commitment to carry out data collection for their research project on-island.

The fund is managed and administered in partnership between the Nature Commission and Agriculture, Countryside and Land Management Services (ACLMS).

Julia Henney, Senior Natural Environment Officer, said:

“The recently published State of Nature 2024 report has provided the first comprehensive account of the state of nature in Guernsey, and it has highlighted that the work of the local community is essential in protecting and enhancing our biodiversity whilst improving our understanding of local wildlife. Since its launch in 2021, the Strategy for Nature Fund has been able to support a wide range of projects which have helped to address some of the drivers of biodiversity loss and we are excited to see what projects we might be able to support this year.’’

Angela Salmon, Nature Commission, said:

‘’The Nature Commission is pleased to be launching the Strategy for Nature Fund once again. We are looking forward to seeing the applications this year and how they help to address the drivers of change that are reported in the State of Nature 2024. A lack of funds can often be a reason for potential projects to stall so this funding provides the essential boost that is needed to get some amazing projects up and running. We would encourage individuals, organisations and students to apply.’’

The deadline for all applications is 9am on Monday 18^th November 2024.

More information about the fund, application forms and how to apply is available at
 https://www.naturecommission.gg/strategy-for-nature-fund-20242025/