Morecambe Bay Partnership
Penny Conservation Charity is proud to announce a £10,000 grant to support the work of Morecambe Bay Partnership, helping to deliver community and environmental programmes that connect people with Morecambe Bay’s spectacular coastal environment.
The funding will support people, particularly young people and those from disadvantaged backgrounds, with high quality nature-based activities and learning, to help them foster a life-long interest and passion for the natural environment. The funding will help people understand and experience nature and make a meaningful difference towards environmental sustainability, climate action and social justice. Through this project communities will develop new skills, gain proven health and wellbeing benefits, develop confidence in the outdoors, and champion equality of access to ensure ALL can experience and benefit from the coast and countryside.
Despite living near the coast, evidence suggests that many of Morecambe Bay’s coastal communities do not feel welcome or confident in these outdoor spaces and are disconnected to their immediate natural environment. This project seeks to change this through awareness-raising workshops, special events, training programmes, and field trips to nature rich places. People will be able to learn to identify species, research and understand environmental issues such as pollution, erosion and flooding, create environmental campaigns or undertaking experiences and creative activities that provide easily accessible entry points to all to Morecambe Bay’s coast and countryside.
On average people who live in urban areas and coastal towns, spend only 4.5 minutes per day in natural spaces which have been proven to reduce stress, anxiety, and depression and improve mood, self-esteem and feelings of connection. Morecambe Bay Partnership’s CEO, Sarah Mason, points out that “We know from local consultation that access to nature is inequitable and exacerbated by disadvantage. Lancashire and Cumbria often top the list of counties with the worst youth opportunities, and lack of access to good public transport or affordable school transport means that the costs of benefitting from nature are prohibitive. In addition, the UK is one of the most nature-depleted countries globally, with 1 in 6 species at risk of extinction from habitat loss, disturbance, climate change & development. This much-needed funding from the Penny Conservation Charity will have a big impact by creating more opportunities for local people to discover their local environment, connect and care for Morecambe Bay and benefit their own health and wellbeing.”
Jamie Allison, Chair of the Penny Conservation Chairity and Head of Real Estate at Napthens law firm, says “we’re proud to support Morecambe Bay Partnership and the vital work they do to connect people with nature.
This funding will help open up access to the coast and countryside for those who might otherwise miss out. Morecambe Bay Partnership’s work brings communities closer to our landscapes, helping to create lasting connections with the natural environment and each other. We’re delighted to play a role in supporting that impact.”
The project begins this spring with information about events and opportunities being shared on the Morecambe Bay Partnership website www.morecambebay.org.uk
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