Exmoor awarded £1.25m fund for 'Exmoor Pioneers' project
It'll fund local initiatives within the park.
Last updated 11th Oct 2024
Exmoor National Park's received £1.25m for local initiatives, thanks to funding from the National Lottery.
It's to engage visitors with the former royal forest in the heart of the park, while some of the money will go towards Exford Tree Nursery.
The park will also work with local businesses to provide young people with internships.
The funding is to be spent over 4 years on skills development and engaging people with the landscape.
They also plan to continue development of Exmoor's temperate rainforest.
Rob Wilson North, Head of Access, Engagement & Estates at Exmoor National Park said: “We are passionate about Exmoor Pioneers because it focuses on the much-loved heart of Exmoor National Park.
"Here, in the wild landscape around the headwaters of the river Exe, we will spend the next four years enriching nature, looking after its fragile heritage and nurturing the skills that are desperately needed to sustain this beautiful place.
"We will be able to progress our plans to develop our tree nursery and work with families and volunteers to create a new temperate rainforest.
"We are so grateful that The National Lottery Heritage Fund have agreed to fund Exmoor Pioneers, which has also been made possible with a generous legacy from the late Cynthia Hadley to ‘CareMoor for Exmoor’ and from BMW.”
Stuart McLeod, Director England - London & South at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: “Landscapes and nature form the bedrock of our culture and heritage, improving wellbeing, sparking curiosity, and protecting and providing for the community’s surrounding and inhabiting them.
"National Lottery players have highlighted natural heritage as especially important, which is why we are pleased to award this grant to Exmoor National Park Authority.
"Our funding will allow them to lead the way on nature recovery, as well as nurture the skills that are needed to sustain this important landscape.”