MP welcomes 600k for new wildlife haven

South Lakes MP Tim Farron welcomed news that Morecambe Bay is one of 12 schemes that that will share £7.5 million to create wildlife havens, restore habitats and encourage local people to get involved with nature.

The £600,000 of investment for theMorecambeBayarea will create a step change for nature by improving and reconnecting the area's special wetland, limestone, grassland and woodland habitats, as well as inspiring community action and developing sustainable farming and wildlife tourism business models. Arnside & Silverdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) Partnership has worked with and on behalf of a broad partnership to secure this funding from the national NIA Programme through a competitive bidding process.

The RSPB, Butterfly Conservation, Cumbria Wildlife Trust, Morecambe Bay Partnership, Forestry Commission, Lancaster City Council, National Trust, Lancashire Wildlife Trust, Environment Agency, Natural England, National Farmers' Union, Bay Tourism Association, and Wyre Council have played a major role in developing the project, which has strong support from many other partner organisations and local authorities, farmers, landowners, businesses, communities and individuals.

Partnership working is going from strength to strength aroundMorecambeBay, as this latest exciting success shows. The 12 successful bids have been chosen from among 76 groups who competed to receive funding for their project.

Tim said: "This is great news and I want to congratulate Lucy Barron and the team. This money really will make a difference and I was pleased to support the bid and promote the scheme to DEFRA."