Nature Service for Wales secures £460,000 in lottery funding

The Nature Service, known in Welsh as Y Gwasanaeth Natur, has secured over £460,000 from the National Lottery Community Fund to support nature restoration and employment in Wales. Scheduled to launch in spring 2027, the service will provide a national website and directory to connect individuals with education, training, volunteering, and job opportunities in the environmental sector.

The initiative aims to address a gap identified in research showing high interest among young people in nature-based careers but low awareness of how to access them. In partnership with The Open University in Wales, the service will explore ways to ensure young people can gain meaningful experience and receive formal recognition for their participation to aid career progression.

Currently hosted by the Food, Farming and Countryside Commission, the project intends to become an independent organization within the next 18 months. Director Daniel Lock noted that building a skilled workforce is essential for achieving ambitions regarding nature recovery and climate resilience.