News

The Shropshire Hills Conservation Fund has reopened this autumn and new applications are invited. The deadline to make an expression of interest to the Fund is 12th February 2026.

Fund priorities are:

• Conserving and enhancing the natural beauty, landscape, wildlife or heritage of the Shropshire Hills National Landscape.
• Educational and awareness-raising activities relating to the area and its conservation, especially involving young people.

Earlier this year, nine community projects were supported by the Shropshire Hills Landscape Trust through the Conservation Fund. Grants, totalling just under £15,000, were awarded to practical projects with strong community engagement.  

These included funding the wildlife monitoring efforts of Morville Parish Council which is building on survey work in nearby areas, creating a publicly accessible wildflower meadow at St George's, Pontesbury and supporting the Rea Valley Wildlife Group to deliver a programme of events for their local community.

Two further projects focused on butterfly conservation, with volunteers helping to restore habitat for the Small Pearl-Bordered Fritillary in the Stiperstones area and the nationally significant Wood White butterfly populations around Bury Ditches Iron-Age hill fort. Water monitoring equipment was funded to enable volunteers to monitor water quality in the rivers around Bishop’s Castle and support given to enhance the biodiversity value of burial grounds within the National Landscape.

Involving young people is also a priority for the Fund. The Trust was able to support projects specifically aimed at helping young people appreciate the countryside, including the Hill Stories digital media project and the Youth Forum Rangers programme working with 11-18 year olds in the Clee Hill area. 

For more information click the button below:

how to apply