COMMUNITIES in the Bude, Camelford and Launceston areas are being urged to get involved in the Grow Nature Seed Fund, with an aim of developing more space for nature to thrive.

The new Grow Nature Seed Fund aims to support small-scale projects that help create more space for nature in towns and villages across Cornwall. The fund, which is now live and offers £10,000 overall, aims to support small-scale projects that help create more space for nature within local communities. It is a crowdfund-based pot of money designed for community groups and organisations to access through match funding for small scale projects that help create more space for nature on publically accessible land within local communities.

There is up to £500 available per project on a match fund basis. The Grow Nature Seed Fund says people need to look for new opportunities to reverse the decline in many of the once common species, such as hedgehogs and bumble-bees. Even lots of small changes in and around local green spaces, verges, scout halls, cricket pitches or play areas can collectively help to restore and revitalise nature so that it can support people into the future.

Cornwall Council, Crowdfunder and the Cornwall Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty have joined forces to support similar local projects from not for profit organisations that contribute to the delivery of environmental growth anywhere in Cornwall. Up to £500 is available for each eligible project and there is an opportunity to double money through the new Crowdfund Cornwall platform.

The Grow Nature Seed Fund could support projects which transform areas of community green space to nature-rich habitat through the creation of community orchards, ponds, wildflower meadows and verges, native hedges, or woodlands. People might have an idea to make a home for nature in a community centre or village hall grounds through installation of bee bricks, bug hotels, swift boxes, nest boxes, or tree planting.

Coastal and marine projects would also be welcomed, such as the creation of voluntary no anchor zones, initiatives to reduce single use plastics or control invasive species. All of these activities could benefit from the Grow Nature Seed Fund and help local people to connect with their environment and do their bit to Grow Nature.

Priority will be given to schemes that result in tangible examples of environmental growth, such as new habitats or an increase in the health of native wildlife.

Any locally constituted and recognised ‘not for profit’ organisation, which seeks to serve the people of Cornwall, could be eligible to apply. It is thought that the Bude Community Orchard Group will be one of the first groups to have a project go live on the Crowdfunder platform.

For ideas about how to help grow nature, visit the toolkit at www.cornwall.gov.uk/grow-nature. Further details and eligibility criteria can be found at the Grow Nature Seed Fund crowdfunder page at www.crowdfunder.co.uk/funds/crowdfund-cornwall/extra-funding.