Cash for National Park projects

Image: Stanage Millstones: ⓒ Chris Gilbert

Projects to protect or enhance the Peak District National Park have the chance to win a £2000 grant to help their work.

The grant is offered by the Campaign for National Parks (CNP) in its annual Park Protector Award, which celebrates and supports projects to protect National Parks in England and Wales.

Judges – including CNP president, actress and TV presenter Caroline Quentin – will be looking for innovative projects which are making big differences to National Parks.

These could include: biodiversity improvement; restoration of historic buildings; restoration of natural landscapes; protecting or campaigning against a threat; rural skills; volunteering and youth engagement.

The Peak District National Park’s chief executive Sarah Fowler said: “We are dedicated to protecting the UK’s original National Park and value the support we receive from local projects.

“I would urge people involved in projects to sustain and preserve the Peak District to highlight their hard work through the Park Protector Award.”

Last year the Park Protector Award was won by the Arun and Rother Connections project, based in the South Downs National Park. Working with local volunteers, the project worked to create a thriving river system by tackling pollution, flooding and invasive species.

Caroline Quentin said: “The Park Protector Award is an amazing opportunity to understand and celebrate the diversity of projects and hard work going on across our National Parks. And, of course, it is a chance for projects to win some much-needed funding.”

The closing date for nominations is July 20. Information on how to apply can be found at www.cnp.org.uk

The Park Protector Award is sponsored by the Ramblers Holidays Charitable Trust.