Natural England has announced that the deadline for applications to the Access to Nature grant scheme has been brought forward. Access to Nature is a £25 million fund to encourage people from all backgrounds to understand, access and enjoy the natural environment. The reason given for the earlier deadline is to avoid a oversubscription towards the end of the programme’s duration when available funds will have diminished.

Access to Nature is now scheduled to close its Stage 1 applications by 1st February 2010 with Stage 2 applications to be received by 4th May 2010. However, Natural England has stressed that it would encourage people to submit applications prior to these dates if possible.

For further details, visit the Natural England website
www.naturalengland.org.uk/ourwork/enjoying/outdoorsforall/accesstonature/default.aspx