As the National Lottery marks its 30th birthday today – a game changer in bringing positive change to communities and nature – Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust is delighted to announce a major boost to its flagship initiative, Team Wilder, thanks to significant funding from The National Lottery Community Fund.
The awarding of a four-year grant will provide funding required to grow the Trust’s Wilder Communities work, supporting progress towards the ambitious goal of inspiring one in four people to join Team Wilder and take action for nature by 2030.
Standing up for nature
Team Wilder is at the heart of the charity’s mission to mobilise people, communities, and businesses to stand up for nature.
With this new funding, the initiative will deepen its impact by empowering individuals and communities across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight to reconnect with nature and take meaningful steps toward nature’s recovery.
People are the key to nature’s recovery
Team Wilder engages people to actively support nature, whether by creating wildlife-friendly gardens, restoring habitats, or advocating for conservation in their local communities.
Dawn O’Malley, Senior Engagement Manager at Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, said,
“People are the key to nature’s recovery. We need nature to thrive, yet we’ve never been more disconnected from it.
“Through Team Wilder, we’re building a movement where individuals, schools, businesses, and communities are standing up for nature and taking direct action.
“We’re so grateful to The National Lottery Community Fund as this grant will allow us to strengthen our support for these efforts, bring more people on nature’s side, and work with communities and other partners to create a wilder future for local people and wildlife.”
Building wilder communities
With the support of National Lottery funding, Team Wilder will expand its reach across key areas, including Basingstoke, Petersfield, Southampton, Winchester, and the Isle of Wight.
Since its launch, Team Wilder has engaged thousands of people across the region, empowering them to take action for nature. The Wilder Communities project first launched in Portsmouth in 2019 with funding from long-term partners Southern Co-op. This community-led approach ensures that conservation efforts are tailored to meet the unique needs of each area, fostering ownership, long-term sustainability, and meaningful impact.
As part of this expansion, the Trust will continue providing training, mentorship, and resources to equip individuals with the skills and knowledge needed to make a difference. The initiative will also recruit community ecologists, offering expert guidance and upskilling communities to ensure local conservation projects are sustainable and based on the latest ecological expertise.
By the end of the four-year project, the Trust aims to have empowered thousands of people to take action for nature, built a strong network of community-led projects, and fostered lasting connections between people and their local environments.
Get involved with Team Wilder
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust invites everyone to join Team Wilder and become part of the movement for nature recovery. Whether you’re taking small steps in your garden, joining a local conservation group, or leading a community project, your involvement can make a real difference.
To learn more about Team Wilder, visit www.hiwwt.org.uk/team-wilder
News shared by Helen on behalf of Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust. Ed
