BUSINESSES, government and non-governmental organisations across the region can now apply for specialist wildlife funding.

A long-running funding scheme for wildlife is being re-launched giving them opportunity to apply for funding for projects that will sustain and enhance habitats in Flintshire, Wrexham, Denbighshire and Conwy.

Funding is provided by house building companies to mitigate the impact of housing development across North East Wales and is administered by the Building Wildlife Trust.

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The money is then made available in the form of grants for activities such as pond creation or restoration, the control of invasive species, land purchase, grassland or scrub management, or any other activities that will protect and enhance habitats and species across the area.

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Until recently funding had been restricted to supporting great crested newts but the objectives of the Trust have been widened so any projects that support rare species or habitats defined in Section 7 of the Environment Wales Act (2016) are now eligible. These include species as diverse as lesser horseshoe bats, red squirrels, chough, eels, slow worms, grizzled skipper butterfly and frog orchids.

Past projects have included pond restoration at Buckley Lower Common, support for land purchase at Ewloe Castle Woods, control of the invasive water fern in Deeside and interpretation Boards at a nature reserve at Penymynydd.

Applicants must visit the Building Wildlife website - www.buildingwildlife.org.uk - and fill in a simple form. The application window is now open.