Sussex Lund, the grant programme established by Lisbet Rausing and Peter Baldwin, has opened for new 2018 applications.
Sussex Lund supports small-scale, practical projects that improve the ecology and landscape of the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). Over £400,000 has been allocated since the Fund launched in 2016.
The High Weald AONB Partnership, which is administering the fund in collaboration with Lund Trust, is inviting farmers and landowners, charities, community groups, schools, churches and councils to apply for grants of between £500 and £10,000.
Grants of more than £10,000 are available for groups of two or more applicants working in collaboration – for example, an application to fund shared equipment or machinery, or projects that cross landowner boundaries.
Jason Lavender, co-Director of the High Weald AONB Partnership, said: “We encourage anyone who thinks they have a project that will benefit the High Weald’s nationally-important landscape to apply to Sussex Lund. You could be a group wanting to plant a new community orchard or a landowner creating a new wetland habitat.
“In times of increasingly limited resources, this funding provides a rare opportunity to turn good ideas into practical projects to improve our environment and inspire others.”
Successful projects in 2017
• Removal of invasive species, such as rhododendron, from small community woodlands
• Creation of a new hedge and wildflower meadow garden in Ashburnham
• Several hedge-laying and restoration projects (to create wildlife corridors)
• Restoration of a natural floodplain at Sheffield Park Estate
• Equipment purchase and training for volunteer groups managing woods and heaths.
Applications are welcome from any organisation or individual for projects which demonstrate tangible improvement to the landscape and have a public benefit. The project should take place within the High Weald AONB boundary.
Deadline for applications is Sunday 15 April 2018. Potential applicants are strongly encouraged to discuss their proposal with the High Weald team on 01424 723014 or email sussexlund@highweald.org
