Wessex Water donates almost £60,000 to local environmental projects

More than 40 community groups, charities and schools throughout the south west have received support from the Wessex Water Environment Fund.

Wessex Water’s Environment Fund, which provides support to projects that aim to improve their local environment, has distributed a total of £57,000 to 44 groups across the region.

The fund forms part of Wessex Water Foundation which was launched last year and provides dedicated funding to charitable and community projects.

The water company has been working with the Wiltshire, Somerset, Dorset and Quartet (Bath, Bristol, South Gloucestershire and North Somerset) Community Foundations to make sure the funding goes towards the right projects.

Kirsty Scarlett, head of community engagement at Wessex Water, said: “Through our newly created Environment Fund, we will be supporting community activities that aim to improve and protect local biodiversity and the environment, while also having a positive impact on local people.

“I am really pleased with the response from community groups. Our funding has gone towards a great range of projects, from rainwater harvesting to litter picking and it’s great to see people taking action to protect and enhance nature in their local area.”

These are some of the groups that received grants of up to £1,500 from Wessex Water’s Environment Fund:

• In Wiltshire, the Wiltshire Bat Group was successful in securing funding to undertake dung beetle surveys at five locations to assess the prey availability for greater horseshoe bats.
• In Bristol, St Philips Marsh Nursery School sought funding to improve their outdoor learning environment for the benefit of local children and the wider community.
• In Somerset, Root Connections was successful in its application to teach children about beekeeping and increase their knowledge of pollinators and the environment.
• In Dorset, Oceans to Earth will be purchasing litter picking equipment that individuals and community groups can borrow.

The Wessex Water Foundation plans to provide at least half a million pounds of funding every year to support community projects, local environment projects, debt advice and charities helping those who are suffering the consequences of poverty through low income or unemployment.

Find out more at www.wessexwater.co.uk/funding.