Naturezones Wildlife Education Trust has been awarded a £72,400 grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund.
The funding will support the trust in continuing its mission to educate and inspire people about the natural world.
A long-standing partnership
Angela Hewitt BEM, founder of Naturezones, expressed her gratitude for the continued support. She said,
“We at Naturezones are overwhelmed by the continued support from the Heritage Fund and this amazing grant.
“This grant is really important at a time when more has to be done to ensure everyone understands the importance of protecting and enhancing the natural environment.
“It is thanks to the HLF and the lottery players that we have been able to develop an amazing, dedicated wildlife education centre.
“We feel privileged to have enjoyed a 17-year-long association with the HLF.
“For us, education is everything and this new grant will further support our natural history education ethos and help embed our mission into Island life.”
Heritage Fund support
Stuart McLeod, Director of England – London & South at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, also welcomed the grant.
He said,
“We are delighted to support this project, which thanks to money raised by National Lottery players, will mean that more people will be able to get involved with, protect, and learn about the exciting heritage right on their doorstep.
“Heritage has a huge role to play in instilling pride in communities and boosting local economies, and this project is a fantastic example of achieving those aims.”
About Naturezones
Naturezones, based at Blackwater, was founded in 2007 by Angela Hewitt BEM and is now in its 18th year.
It works with primary schools across the Isle of Wight, as well as community groups and individual visitors.
Naturezones is the only facility of its kind on the Island, offering a 10-acre living natural history museum designed for educational visits.
The trust delivers programmes for all age groups, including school children, college students, and adult learners.
It also collaborates with organisations supporting people with mental health challenges, aiming to help restore confidence, health, and wellbeing through nature.
Volunteers play a key role in maintaining the reserve, helping to further its environmental and educational objectives.
About the National Lottery Heritage Fund
The National Lottery Heritage Fund is the largest funder of heritage projects in the UK.
It supports initiatives that connect people and communities to heritage, in line with its strategic plan, Heritage 2033.
Over the next decade, the organisation aims to invest £3.6 billion raised by National Lottery players in projects that make a significant impact on people, places, and communities.
More information can be found at heritagefund.org.uk or by following @HeritageFundUK on social media.
