Anglian Water has underlined its desire to improve local environments with a unique funding opportunity. David Hartley explains.

Picture this: the sun is shining, you can hear the nearby river bubbling, the local wildlife is thriving, and the smell of fresh summer air fills your nose.

You’re walking through your local countryside, enjoying all of the wonderful wildlife on show and everything this beautiful county has to offer.

Sound too good to be true? Well, it’s not. And as this region has received sunshine aplenty in recent weeks, local groups and charities now have the chance to get out and help improve the environment with the launch of Anglian Water’s latest Flourishing Environment Grant.

The grant is now open for applications from local organisations and passionate groups who support wetland habitats and wildlife conservation. It is part of Anglian Water’s ongoing commitment to environmental enhancement, conservation and restoration. By providing hard-working organisations with the funds they need, so our wildlife and native habitats can be more enjoyable than ever before.

Specifically targeted to help conserve wetland habitats and protect native species from our region, this initiative will allow our environment to flourish for generations and ensure our evening walks and weekend adventures in the countryside can be enjoyed by everyone now and in the future.

One of many projects that have benefitted from the grant previously was the Little Ouse Headwaters Project on the Norfolk/Suffolk border. The project was awarded a grant to restore the natural chalk stream river, improve water quality and enhance the mosaic of river habitats and biodiversity in the area.

Chris Gerrard, natural catchment and biodiversity manager for Anglian Water, said: “Protecting the environment is extremely important to ensure this region’s wildlife thrives.

“Increasing the diversity of habitats not only benefits wildlife, it also enhances water quality, local communities and open spaces. That’s why we’re so pleased to make the Flourishing Environment Grant available for charity organisations and community groups to help support the diverse wetland habitats in this region.”

Anglian Water is also investing half a million pounds within the region, this year alone, for biodiversity projects at their sites in order to protect and support the wildlife and habitats. This includes the well documented Nightingale project at Alton Water reservoir, near Ipswich.

Protecting, restoring and enhancing our wonderful habitats in the area is of paramount importance and this funding can provide local groups with the help they need to make a difference.

If you’re interested, head to the Cambridgeshire Community Foundation website for more information and to submit your application.

To qualify for the grant, applications must demonstrate the benefitting habitats and species are within the Anglian Water region and are of particular importance.

The deadline for applications is Tuesday, August 1. Further details can be found at https://ukcf.secure.force.com/forms/AWEnvironment