A major multi-million-pound funding package has been awarded to conservation projects in Somerset to aid species recovery.
The Species Recovery Programme’s Capital Grants Scheme ran from August 2023 to March 2025, and saw Natural England invest £13m into efforts to help species such as water vole, oystercatcher, lady’s slipper orchid, hazel dormouse and Atlantic salmon thrive.
Two projects in Somerset and North Somerset received funding through the scheme: Wilder Woodlands and the Cam and Wellow Eel Project.
The Wilder Woodlands, a joint venture with Avon Wildlife Trust, received a £398,000 grant.
It concentrated on aiding species recovery in the North Somerset and Mendip Special Area of Conservation.
The project aimed to assist the greater and lesser horseshoe bats, barbastelles, and dormice by transforming the woodland from an even-aged site with plantation trees to one with varied structure and increased light.
Seven dexter cattle and several goats are now grazing the woodlands, with their dung attracting insects for the bats to feed on.
The project provided the community with 250 practical conservation volunteer days, numerous training sessions, and guided walks to help people connect with nature.
A survey was carried out during the project to give a baseline for species in the area.
A steering group was also formed, which includes local landowners, to provide a more unified approach to managing the landscape.
The Cam and Wellow Eel Project was granted £175,000.
This funding saw eel tiles installed on the Wellow to help eels and elvers navigate the river more easily.
Two weirs on the Cam Brook are also set for removal, and barriers at two sites on the Midford Brook at Dunkerton have already been removed to help lamprey pass through more easily.
The project has sparked further discussions on potential sites within the catchment for barrier removal.
The results of the Species Recovery Programme were revealed for the first time on Wednesday, August 13, alongside a new guide on supporting the recovery of more than 1,000 species threatened with extinction.
Tony Juniper, chair of Natural England, said: "A rising number of nature recovery projects, both large and small, are making a huge difference up and down the country.
"The success of this programme is an example of how much we can do when we take a joined-up, collaborative approach to restoring the natural world.
"We know we can turn around species decline and improve ecosystems with the right targeted actions, the drive and the funding.
"But time is running out fast - turning round nature’s decline needs to be a collective endeavour, so this is not just the preserve of dedicated specialists.
"Nature recovery work needs more projects, more volunteers and more money to flow from all sources, particularly the private sector.
"It will also need to go hand in hand with improved environmental quality, including through reduced pollution."
Beyond the direct benefits to species, the scheme has helped bring thousands of people closer to nature nationwide.
More than 80,000 members of the public took part in 465 educational events and activities, and volunteers contributed nearly 100,000 hours of conservation work, estimated to be worth more than £1m.
The initiative also supported the equivalent of 60 full-time jobs in conservation.
Through these projects, partners successfully relocated close to 10,000 individual animals and plants to expand species territories, and captive-bred 3,105 individuals, including invertebrates, plants, mammals, and birds.
The scheme has created or enhanced more than 2,400 hectares of wildlife-rich habitat for species to thrive in.
As part of the ongoing work to support species recovery, Natural England has launched the Threatened Species Recovery Actions, a resource detailing the most crucial actions to support the recovery of more than 1,000 species under threat of extinction in England.
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