Competition opens for wildlife friendly ideas

Cash is up for grabs to fund ideas to help boost biodiversity in Kettering.

Kettering Town Council is running the Love Wildlife competition to help support nature in the town and is asking groups with ideas to get in touch.

This is a chance for local organisations such as schools, charities and community groups to share how they would like to enhance Kettering for the local wildlife.

One big prize of £1,000 is up for grabs as well as 10 smaller amounts of £200 to be awarded.

Kettering Town Council's Climate Change Champion, Cllr Emily Fedorowycz, said: "We are really looking forward to hearing everyone's ideas for improving biodiversity in Kettering.

"There are so many fantastic groups out there and people who really care about helping wildlife in the town and with this funding we will be able to help get some great projects off the ground."

Examples of projects that could improve natural habitats for wildlife include:
• Creating small ponds or wetlands
• Planting bee-friendly flowers or herb gardens
• All-season planting to offer a year-round food supply for insects
• Planting bushes and trees for birds and nesting
• Building bug hotels
• Creating mossy areas with wet logs to encourage fungi
• Creating a hedgehog highway

Groups need to send in details of their project and include a description of what they plan to do and where, costings for the project and a deadline for completion.

Charities, CIOs, community and voluntary groups, clubs, not for profit organisations School Parent Teacher Associations, Friends of groups, religious bodies and health charities are all some of the examples of groups who are eligible to apply.

The cash can go towards funding programme or activity costs which are directly relevant to the application, hire or purchase of equipment for meeting project needs and technical assistance. The project must also happen within Kettering town.

Councillors will then judge the submissions according to how well they will enhance habitats for wildlife, promote biodiversity and on the wider benefit to the community.

The deadline for entries is midnight on Sunday 26 February.