East Devon approves £80,000 fund for wildlife and habitat recovery

East Devon District Council has approved an £80,000 Community Nature Recovery Fund to support biodiversity and habitat restoration across the district. The fund, which will be active during the 2026/27 and 2027/28 financial years, offers grants ranging from £500 to £2,000 for projects such as planting native trees, creating wildflower meadows, establishing ponds, and managing invasive species.

Eligible applicants include community organisations, charities, schools, and private landowners whose projects benefit nature recovery. While the Cabinet backed the initiative alongside a ten-year wildlife protection plan, the decision to use council reserves for the fund drew scrutiny from some councillors regarding the long-term impact on the countryside service budget.