Nextdoor Nature
This project will bring Durham Wildlife Trust together with local communities to give people the skills, tools, and opportunities to take action for nature
The Nextdoor Nature project will bring Durham Wildlife Trust together with local communities to give people the skills, tools, and opportunities to take action for nature in their local area. Thanks to £5 million funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, Nextdoor Nature will provide people with the advice and support they need to help nature on their doorstep, and leave a lasting natural legacy in honour of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee
The Nextdoor Nature initiative is to be delivered by Wildlife Trusts across the country and will leave a natural legacy from the Queen's Jubilee. The National Lottery funding is aimed at creating a huge network of community-led rewilding projects across the nation – all part of the total £22m of Lottery investment to mark the Jubilee and improve the lives of people from disadvantaged areas across the UK.
Wearside, South Tyneside, Coastal East Durham, and Darlington will benefit from Durham Wildlife Trust’s project, with Nextdoor Nature giving communities the skills, tools, and opportunities to take action for nature. This could include establishing wild habitats and green corridors in areas of economic and nature deprivation, rewilding school grounds, or naturalising highly urbanised areas.
Durham Wildlife Trust will support community groups and schools across Sunderland, South Tyneside, East Durham, and Darlington, encouraging them to work with the wider community to bring wildlife back and make a difference for nature close to where they live. This project will help Durham Wildlife Trust to expand into new areas and reach new audiences, supporting those wanting to deliver nature’s recovery close to home.
Nextdoor Nature is the start of a new approach. To deliver nature’s recovery we need many more people actively engaged, and that means providing communities with the tools they need to take action. It’s about communities taking the initiative and delivering for themselves. Durham Wildlife Trust will be there to support and provide advice, but, if we really are going to restore nature, people across our region need to take the lead.
How do I get involved?
For more information about the project, or to get involved, please contact The Trust’s Nextdoor Nature Officer, Tom Parkin: tparkin@durhamwt.co.uk or call 07840845466.
Alternatively, you can complete the form using the link below, and someone will be back in touch with you soon.
Tom Parkin - Nextdoor Nature Officer
"Nature needs to be returned to our everyday lives. Connecting with the wonderful wildlife and natural environment around us while embracing wildness on our doorstep, will not only see nature recover in our region but massively improve the livelihood of our local communities. Through Nextdoor Nature it will be local communities that identify, own and drive the change in their neighbourhoods, creating a wilder future - a world that is rich in wild spaces, bringing more nature into our lives, no matter how small. We are all a part of nature, and it’s time we feel empowered to be able to act to protect it.
"I am here to advise and support anybody who feels they want to act to do so. Grassroot support and action is vital to see momentum build for the Nextdoor Nature Project. If you would like to be a champion for nature, whether that be directly offering support, you are a part of an existing community or school group that would like to take action for wildlife or know of a way to inspire others to act, please get in touch."
Resources to help
Click on the link below to access a pack of resources that can help to support setting up and running a new community group.
Nextdoor Nature is bringing communities together to help nature flourish where they live and work! Thanks to £5 million funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, Nextdoor Nature will provide people with the advice and support they need to help nature on their doorstep, and leave a lasting natural legacy to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.