A NATIONAL Lottery grant of £1.25 million has been awarded to help Exmoor National Park Authority (ENPA) develop conservation skills among young people.

The money will go to the authority’s ‘Exmoor Pioneers’ project, which supports work with nature and the local community.

The project is centred on an area of the former Royal Forest in the heart of Exmoor and the money will be spent over four years on skills development and engaging people with the landscape, as well as nature and heritage projects.

A family tree planting event on Exmoor. PHOTO: ENPA
A family tree planting event on Exmoor. PHOTO: ENPA ( )

The money comes from the National Lottery Heritage Fund and will help to make ‘Exmoor Pioneers’ possible after a legacy to ENPA’s ‘CareMoor for Exmoor’ charity and support from car manufacturer BMW via the National Parks Partnerships.

It will help with development of the authority's tree nursery in Exford, Exmoor’s temperate rainforest, internships for young people working with local businesses, and the park’s Young Rangers programme.

ENPA head of access, engagement, and estates Rob Wilson North said: “We are passionate about ‘Exmoor Pioneers’ because it focuses on the much-loved heart of Exmoor National Park.

“Here, in the wild landscape around the headwaters of the River Exe, we will spend the next four years enriching nature, looking after its fragile heritage, and nurturing the skills that are desperately needed to sustain this beautiful place.

“We will be able to progress our plans to develop our tree nursery and work with families and volunteers to create a new temperate rainforest.

Ponies grazing in the 'Exmoor Pioneers' conservation landscape. PHOTO: ENPA
Ponies grazing in the 'Exmoor Pioneers' conservation landscape. PHOTO: ENPA ( )

“We are so grateful that the National Lottery Heritage Fund have agreed to fund ‘Exmoor Pioneers’, which has also been made possible with a generous legacy from the late Cynthia Hadley to ‘CareMoor for Exmoor’ and from BMW.”

National Lottery London and South director Stuart McLeod said: “Landscapes and nature form the bedrock of our culture and heritage, improving wellbeing, sparking curiosity, and protecting and providing for the communities surrounding and inhabiting them.

“Players have highlighted natural heritage as especially important, which is why we are pleased to award this grant to ENPA.

“Our funding will allow them to lead the way on nature recovery, as well as nurture the skills that are needed to sustain this important landscape.”

The lottery’s heritage fund is the largest dedicated funder of UK heritage with a vision for heritage to be valued, cared for, and sustained for everybody now and in the future.

It aims to invest £3.6 billion over the next 10 years to bring about benefits for people, places, and the natural environment, helping to protect, transform, and share the things from the past which people care about, from popular museums and historic places, the natural environment and fragile species, to languages and cultural traditions.

Mr McLeod said: “We are passionate about heritage and committed to driving innovation and collaboration to make a positive difference to people’s lives today, while leaving a lasting legacy for future generations to enjoy.”

ENPA works in partnership with communities, local councils, businesses, and other organisations to look after the national park and promote its conservation and enjoyment.