Happy Birthday National Parks! Seventy-five years ago National Parks were created as special places where people and nature could come together, bringing hope and joy to a nation scarred by war. Now, 75 years on and to celebrate the anniversary on 16 December, the South Downs National Park is helping 75 schools to add beautiful wildlife havens to their school grounds.
Celebrate 75 years of National Parks with a grant of up to £1,000 to ReNature your school grounds!
A total of £75,000 is being made available by the South Downs National Park Authority to support school projects that enhance biodiversity and create vibrant green spaces for learning and wildlife.
This funding is available on a first-come, first-served basis or until 1st July 2025.
Who can apply?
Your school should be within the South Downs National Park or within 10km of the boundary Do I live in the National Park? – South Downs National Park Authority
and be a state-funded primary or secondary school.
Sixth form and colleges providing state – funded education for under 18s are also eligible. One application will be accepted per school, signed by a member of staff or a school Governor.
We would like to see projects that are co-designed with pupils. Students could be involved in the design, planning and implementation of your new nature space.
What can it fund?
This is capital funding for materials, equipment, tools, soil, plants and seeds. It can fund a contractor where this is essential to undertake the work e.g. a local builder to make planting beds. The work should take place within your school grounds.
Think about how you can make spaces for nature with bug hotels, bird stations, ponds, hedge and meadow planting. Please read this ReNature your school grounds information sheet for inspiration.
You are able to use the grant towards a bigger project, but the work needs to have been completed within one year of an award.
The following items are not eligible for funding:
- Staff costs
- Training costs
- School trips and travel
- Items you have already purchased
- Education providers
- Core/ongoing costs or set up of a Forest School service
- Work where the main beneficiaries are students over 18
- Books
- Wildlife cameras
- Playground furniture, hardstanding and play equipment like benches and climbing frames.
Deadline: Applications will be accepted up until 1st July 2025 or until the funding has been allocated.
School ReNature Grant Application Form 2024
Please don’t delay in sending your application!
Conditions of funding
If funded your school takes responsibility for the assets purchased, and will be responsible for the health and safety of anyone participating in the project. Planning permission may be required for large structures and ground works. You will be asked to provide an evaluation within six weeks of completing the project including photos and information about who took part.