Government funding a "huge boost" for our people-powered work

We’re thrilled to be receiving a grant of nearly £250,000 to support a project to engage with more people across England than ever before.

The funding will support us in significantly increasing our work with volunteers, growing our citizen science community and creating new resources for young people to promote an understanding of marine issues.

The opportunity to offer more engagement projects, like the Great British Beach Clean and Big Seaweed Search, will be a valuable addition to our science-led, people-powered work. We’re really pleased to be able to scale up our current citizen science projects too, getting even more people involved.

Justine Millard, Head of Volunteer and Community Engagement, said: 

“Receiving support from the Green Recovery Challenge Fund is a fantastic boost for our work in engaging communities at the Marine Conservation Society.

"It’s our mission to connect people across the UK with the ocean, highlighting the critical role it plays not only in fighting the climate crisis, but in promoting positive wellbeing.

“Building on almost 40 years’ experience, this funding will enable us to significantly scale up participation in volunteering, marine citizen science and youth engagement, connecting people with, and inspiring them to take action to, protect our marine heritage.”

The Green Recovery Challenge Fund is a key part of the Prime Minister’s 10 Point Plan to kick-start nature recovery and tackle climate change. Connecting people with nature is another priority theme: by increasing access to nature and greenspaces, these projects will support both physical and mental wellbeing.

The Government's Green Recovery Challenge Fund was developed by Defra and its Arm's-Length Bodies. The fund is being delivered by The National Lottery Heritage Fund in partnership with Natural England, the Environment Agency and Forestry Commission.

Environment Minister, Rebecca Pow, said:

“The diverse and ambitious projects being awarded funding today will help environmental organisations employ more people to work on tree-planting, nature restoration and crucially, help more of the public to access and enjoy the outdoors.