Just shy of £32,000 has been provided by Grundon through the Landfill Communities Fund (LCF) to support six environmental and community projects completed over the past six months.
The LCF enables landfill operators such as Grundon to support eligible environmental and community projects through approved environmental bodies. Grundon provides funding through the scheme, with the Trust for Oxfordshire’s Environment (TOE) responsible for distributing grants to Oxfordshire based projects that meet the fund’s criteria.
During the latest round of funding, six projects received a combined £31,998, supporting work ranging from improving accessibility and creating community green spaces to restoring habitats and protecting local wildlife.
Making outdoor spaces more accessible with Body Mind & Soul 4 You
Grundon’s largest contribution in this round of LCF funding has supported Body Mind & Soul 4 You (CIC), helping to create a safer, more inclusive and accessible outdoor space for the local community in Oxford.
A grant of £20,400 saw new fencing and gates be installed to protect children visiting the site from the adjacent car park. Fencing has also helped create a dedicated forest school area and a designated space for bees and pollinators.
Accessibility has been a key part of the project. A wheelchair-friendly path and accessible picnic table have been installed, alongside five tall planters made from recycled materials. The raised planters allow wheelchair users and people who find bending down difficult to take part in gardening and enjoy closer contact with nature.
Together, these improvements are helping more people use and enjoy the outdoor space, while creating opportunities for gardening, environmental learning and community activities.
The impact of the improvements has already been recognised by Body Mind & Soul 4 You, with Founding Director, Paula Fontaine, saying the new fencing had provided a “massive boost” to the project.
Restoring rare wetland habitat at Hinksey Heights
At Hinksey Heights Nature Reserve, funding of £3,698 has helped enable a new approach to conservation grazing as part of efforts to restore an important area of alkaline fen habitat.
Five cattle are now grazing the reserve, wearing GPS-enabled virtual fencing collars. The technology allows the animals’ grazing area to be managed without the need for extensive permanent fencing.
Grazing is an important conservation tool for maintaining habitats such as fens and preventing areas from becoming dominated by scrub and other vegetation. Alkaline fens are particularly valuable habitats, supporting specialised plants and wildlife.
By combining conservation grazing with virtual fencing technology, the project is helping create the conditions needed for this rare wetland habitat to thrive, while providing a practical way to manage livestock across the reserve.
Connecting local people with green spaces at Transition Lighthouse
At Transition Lighthouse, £2,500 has helped create new opportunities for local people to connect with nature. Two tall and one low-rise recycled planters have been installed and planted by a group of volunteers, creating an accessible space for growing and community involvement.
The project is now open to local residents and a range of community and educational groups, including social and green prescribers, the WOWspace women’s group, EMBS College staff and students, and Mabel Pritchard SEN learners taking part in forest school and Duke of Edinburgh volunteering.
The project highlights how accessible green spaces can bring people together, encourage volunteering and provide opportunities for people to learn, socialise and connect with the natural environment.
Supporting water vole recovery on the River Pang
Funding of £2,200 has helped support a wider project to restore healthy populations of water voles in the River Pang catchment. The grant funded ‘smart traps’ to help monitor and control American mink, an invasive predator that can threaten native wildlife, including water voles.
The traps have been deployed across several sites along the River Pang as part of a long-term project coordinated by Action for the River Kennet (ARK) in partnership with Berkshire, Buckinghamshire & Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust (BBOWT) and local landowners.
By helping manage an important threat to water voles, the project is contributing to wider efforts to restore the health and biodiversity of the River Pang catchment.
Restoring hedgerows for wildlife at Pyrton
A section of hedgerow along Footpath 325/2/20 in Pyrton has been laid to improve its value for biodiversity and ensure it can be managed for the future.
Hedgerows are an important part of the British countryside, providing food, shelter and nesting habitat for birds, insects and other wildlife. They can also help connect otherwise divided habitats, allowing wildlife to move through the landscape.
The project received £2,100 from Grundon and also included replacing an old gate, allowing the adjoining paddock to be grazed and helping prevent the field from becoming overgrown with scrub.
Creating a more biodiverse Baskerville Road Play Area
£1,100 has helped transform the Baskerville Road Play Area in Sonning Common into a greener and more wildlife-friendly community space with five new trees planted by local volunteer group Eco SoCo. The trees were selected for their wildlife value, providing blossom, berries and shelter for birds and insects throughout the seasons.
Water butts have also been installed at the nearby Scout Hut, providing a sustainable water source to help volunteers care for the new trees during dry periods.
Local Scouts, Guides and Beavers have been involved in caring for the planting, helping build a stronger connection between the community and its local environment.
The pilot project has demonstrated how relatively small-scale improvements can create valuable habitat while giving local people opportunities to get involved in looking after their green spaces.
From making outdoor spaces more accessible and creating community green spaces to restoring rare wetland habitat and supporting wildlife, these six projects demonstrate the range of environmental and community benefits that can be supported through the Landfill Communities Fund.
Through our funding and partnership with the TOE, Grundon is proud to support projects that make a tangible difference to local communities, while helping protect and enhance the natural environment for the future.
How do I apply for a Grundon LCF grant?
The process depends on where your project is located. Because Grundon distributes its funding through independent environmental bodies, you will need to apply directly through the environmental body that covers your area.
If you are based in Oxfordshire, you can speak with TOE: lef@trustforoxfordshire.org.uk or visit https://trustforoxfordshire.org.uk/grants/
For all other regions, please contact Groundwork South: Michelle.Jones@groundwork.org.uk
Please note, all projects must meet Entrust criteria, and Grundon criteria. Environmental bodies will be able to advise on likeliness of eligibility.