CAG Oxfordshire and Trust for Oxfordshire’s Environment (TOE) are excited to share the first two of four case studies of projects working to protect and nurture the local environment. The groups below are members of the CAG network who received funding from TOE to make their work possible. TOE currently have two funding streams available that eligible CAG members are encouraged to apply for:
The Local Environment Fund offers grants up to £10,000 per project for work supporting biodiversity and public access to nature. They assess grant applications quarterly. Forthcoming deadlines this year are on 20 April, 27 July and 12 October.
Biodiversity Net Gain project funding is available from £10,000- £250,0000 per project. Expressions of Interest are invited from people and organisations that want to deliver biodiversity projects involving the creation, restoration or enhancement of wildlife habitats, as well as landowners.
CAGs who are interested in applying should contact TOE’s Operations Manager, Rachel Sanderson, to discuss their ideas: rachel.sanderson@trustforoxfordshire.org.uk. We hope the examples below inspire your group to take action!
Case study - Bridge Street Garden, Banbury
With the help of volunteers from Wild Banbury, Banbury CAG will be creating four new hexagonal raised beds in the Bridge Street Community Food Forest. The garden is located right in the heart of Banbury, close to the train station, next to two busy bridges and a hectic junction. The design of the community garden is modular so that raised beds can be constructed as and when funds become available and it’s a lovely place for local people to grow vegetables and enjoy the greenery and flowers.
Three of the new beds will be planted with pollinator-friendly shrubs and the fourth will become a wildlife pond. As well as acting as a focus for knowledge and inspiration to encourage others to make their own wildlife havens in gardens, allotments, planters and window boxes across the town, the project will provide a wildlife friendly oasis in the middle of town, making a real difference to the local natural environment. Although the group originally planned to make the raised beds from scaffold planks, TOE recommended they use boards made from recycled plastic for their durability and greater longevity and increased the grant award accordingly.
Case study – Community Heritage Orchard, Clifton
In partnership with the Parish Council, Deddington Environment Network have a grant to plant a new community orchard. The grant includes funding for advice from a local orchard expert and for an interpretation board. The fruit trees which are heritage varieties, many local to the village, have been underplanted with bulbs. The project is transforming a previously underused green space, will enhance biodiversity and serve to bring local people together.
We will be featuring two more case studies from projects funded by TOE in the coming weeks so come and check back! In the meantime, don't forget to check out their funding streams to see if your project is eligible.
