Maidstone wildlife given a helping hand through Nature Recovery Fund

£43,000 has been awarded to Maidstone based community organisations and environmental charities to deliver a wide range of projects that will enhance wildlife, habitats and biodiversity across the borough through round one of Maidstone Borough Council’s Nature Recovery Fund.

The funding will support practical action on the ground, helping local groups turn ideas into deliverable projects that benefit both nature and local communities. Projects supported through this round of funding include restoring wetland habitats to help great crested newts thrive at Quarry Wood, installing swift boxes in the Fant and Oakwood areas, and carrying out wildlife surveys along the Greensand Ridge.

The Nature Recovery Fund was established to support initiatives that protect and restore the natural environment, strengthen ecological resilience and address biodiversity loss, while encouraging community involvement in caring for Maidstone’s green and blue spaces. The fund, which in total will grant £488,000 over tranches, prioritises projects that deliver long term environmental benefits, support priority species and habitats, and help connect people with nature.

Five successful projects have each been awarded between £1,000 and £15,000. Together, they include work to improve woodlands, wetlands and green spaces, support declining and priority species, and strengthen long‑term nature recovery across Maidstone through both site‑based and landscape‑scale approaches.

A further round of Nature Recovery Fund funding is now open soon, with £250,000 set aside to provide additional opportunities for community groups, landowners and environmental organisations to apply for support and contribute to nature recovery across the borough.

£10,000 has been awarded to Bicknor Wood Residence Community Group Ltd to support the protection and regeneration of Bicknor Community Wood. The project will include tree planting, habitat restoration, the installation of bird and bat boxes, and improvements to paths and access, helping to safeguard the woodland’s long‑term health while enhancing opportunities for wildlife and community enjoyment.

The Greensand Farm Cluster has received just £5,000 to commission baseline ecological surveys across a network of farms and landholdings along the Greensand Ridge. This work will help identify priority habitats and species, supporting coordinated, landscape‑scale nature recovery while maintaining sustainable food production.

Following a successful swift box installation project in the Penenden Ward, £11,000 has been approved for High Weald Swifts to deliver the Maidstone Swift Streets project in the Fant and Oakwood areas. The project will raise awareness of the borough’s swift populations and increase nesting opportunities through the installation of swift boxes, helping to protect this red‑listed species while engaging residents in practical conservation action.

Allington Millennium Green Trust has been awarded £1,000 to carry out coppicing and woodland management on Allington Millennium Green. The project will improve habitat quality, support biodiversity and provide training opportunities for volunteers maintaining this important local green space.

Kent Wildlife Trust is set to receive £15,000 for habitat restoration at Quarry Wood, including improvements to wet woodland and pond systems. The project will enhance biodiversity, improve climate resilience and support species such as great crested newts, dormice and bullfinch, while strengthening volunteer skills and long‑term site management.

Supporting nature recovery

The Nature Recovery Fund forms part of Maidstone Borough Council’s wider commitment to tackling biodiversity loss and supporting local action that delivers lasting environmental and community benefits.

Councillor Rachel Rodwell, Climate Transition and Nature Recovery said: “These projects show the breadth of fantastic work being led by local organisations to protect and enhance nature across Maidstone. From community woodlands and urban wildlife to farm‑scale collaboration, the Nature Recovery Fund is helping to turn ambition into action on the ground.”

For more information about the Nature Recovery Fund and future funding opportunities, visit Maidstone Borough Council’s website.