Thanks to a new Project Planning Grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF), the London Wildlife Trust will have the resources needed to launch its “Going Local” volunteering initiative. The award, of £47,800, will enable the Trust to engage with a diverse range of communities in Camden, Islington, Southwark and Lewisham and to increase their involvement in and enjoyment of local wildlife and green space.

‘Going Local’ is an inspiring community conservation project aimed at people from under represented communities in conservation volunteering. The money awarded by HLF will be put towards the vital first stage of the project - to analyse how best to reach and engage a diverse range of volunteers and to identify which pieces of green space in each borough would be most effectively managed for wildlife and the local community.

Carlo Laurenzi, OBE, London Wildlife Trust’s Chief Executive, said: ‘We are absolutely delighted that the Heritage Lottery Fund has awarded us a planning grant for this important project for Londoners. Going Local is all about introducing a new audience to the community, personal and health benefits of conservation volunteering.

‘Volunteering for London’s wildlife not only helps at risk species like the iconic cockney sparrow and the endangered stag beetle but it also improves green space in local areas, quality of life for local communities and can have health benefits for volunteers as well,” adds Mr Laurenzi.

London Wildlife Trust has a long history of working with conservation volunteers at its nature reserves across London. To find out more about volunteering for London Wildlife Trust or about how to help London’s amazing wildlife log on to www.wildlondon.org.uk.