Today it has been announced that 32 new international conservation projects will be awarded a share of £8.2 million from the UK government’s Darwin Initiative.
The Darwin Initiative was set up in 1992, and on its 25th year the focus of this year’s funding is on nature, health and food supply and security. The focus follows recent reports about species loss that has put these issues high on the national agenda. Reports now show nearly a million species are in danger of extinction.
Projects from Fauna & Flora International’s wild tulip project to the WWT’s Cambodian wetland project will receive this share of year’s funding. The recipients are from across the globe, including the UK’s very own Chester Zoo and the Royal Botanic Garden in Edinburgh.
Gosport MP, Caroline Dinenage, commented:
“There has never been such a pressing time to put resources and funds into conservation and environmental protection. It is great to see how the initiative is working worldwide to protect our species for future generations.”
Environment Minister Thérèse Coffey said:
“Nature matters, and the Darwin Initiative continues to support hundreds of projects that restore and enhance wildlife and nature.
“These schemes are helping nature and our wider environment, delivering clean air and water, sustainable food supplies, and recovery and resilience to natural disasters.
“That is why I am delighted to announce another £8 million of funding for these crucial projects. Our government is taking action at home and abroad to ensure we are the first generation to leave our environment in a better state than we found it.”
