The Nature Towns and Cities Network is a programme by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, National Trust and Natural England which aims to improve access to nature by helping local authorities, communities and partners bring green space into every neighbourhood. It is open and free to join, offering events, training and resources for community groups, charities and local government. The resource section offers plenty of interesting articles.
Community groups and local organisations could access grants of between £10,000 and £75,000 through the Veolia Environmental Trust for projects that improve community facilities and outdoor spaces, or enhance biodiversity and natural habitats.
Funding can support improvements to community centres, parks, play areas, sports grounds, community gardens, woodlands and other publicly accessible spaces. Eligible organisations must be based near a qualifying Veolia site in England and secure a 10% third-party contribution towards the project.
The next application window opens on 20 August 2026 and closes at noon on 1 October 2026. Organisations can check their eligibility and find further details on the
Songs & Stories about Herefordshire – a celebration of its history, nature & landscape. Joseph Emmett, author and singer-songwriter, presents an evening of stories and songs celebrating the fascinating history and landscape of our beautiful county of Herefordshire. Wednesday 1st July 7.00pm at The Courtyard, Hereford. Click here for tickets. Think Like a Forest Ben Rawlence in conversation with Joseph Emmett about his new book of letters to his children about climate change. Wednesday 15th July 6pm – 7.30pm Elevate Business Lounge Click here for tickets
29/05/2026
Grants to support the establishment of trees, orchards and hedgerows on streets, in parks, and in community and educational spaces are now available – with funding opportunities for communities across the United Kingdom. Take a look at the Tree council’s Branching Out Fund for small grants (£250 – £2500), or the Network Rail and SP Energy Networks Community Tree Planting Funds for grants over £2,500. FIND OUT MORE
21/05/2026
Herefordshire Wildlife Trust’s new Nature Tots sessions for children aged 0 to 5 yrs and their grown-ups start on Monday 25th May and will run every week at Queenswood. Find out more For older children (4 to 12 yrs) HWT are running free Nature Play – Wild Flowers and Pond Dipping on Wednesday 27th May at Birches Farm Nature Reserve, near Kington. Book here Don’t forget 30 Days Wild: the Wildlife Trusts’ campaign to get you out into nature every day in June.
21/05/2026
HGN GOLD member, Applewood Permaculture have a busy programme of courses over the summer: 2nd – 7th June PEACE course (Peace, Empowerment and Cultural Emergence) with Looby 4th July Fruit tree Summer Pruning and Budding workshop with Chris 16th -19th July Practical Volunteer long weekend at Applewood 24th -26th July ACE course (Activating Cultural Emergence) with Looby 5th -6th September Forest Gardening with Chris Click on the links to find out more.
Click here for a list of grant funding available to local groups and charities with details of how to apply and deadlines. Click on this link for a useful guide to fundraising and grants from Lloyds Bank, with tips on selecting the right sources of funding for your charity or organisation, and learn what to consider before applying for a grant.
The RSPB have published new advice on feeding birds to minimise the spread of diseases such as Trichomonosis, based on scientific research they have undertaken. Click here to read more. International Dawn Chorus Day on May 4th is a day to celebrate the birdsong that reaches a crescendo at this time of year.
Meer Common Gathering Sunday 19th April 2.00 -4.00 pm The Almeley Green Group, a HGN GOLD member, has spent the past few years restoring one of its parish commons through a range of habitat and biodiversity initiatives. This has included repurposing overgrown and unsafe trees to create log piles, improving light access to the pond and woodland floor, and clearing heavily overgrown bramble areas to allow native flora to return. The group has also installed dormouse, owl and bat boxes to further support local wildlife. The work has been guided by local tree and ecology advisers, supported by a
09/04/2026
Applewood Permaculture, a GOLD member of HGN, run in-person and online courses throughout the year. Their next course, on the weekend of 25th-26th April is a two day introduction to the concept and techniques of forest gardening. Click here for details of this and their other courses.
