News Item (18-11-2008)

Biffaward is a multi-million pound environment fund (managed by the Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts) which uses landfill tax credits donated by Biffa Waste Services.  Since 1997, Biffaward has awarded £100 million in funding to nearly 2,000 projects throughout the UK: renovating community facilities such as village halls and play areas, improving access and understanding in our countryside, investing in our cultural buildings and enhancing biodiversity by protecting threatened habitats and species.

Gillian French, Biffaward's Programme Manager, made the £100 million announcement at the annual Biffaward Awards, which was held this year on board HMS Belfast on the River Thames. She announced "Over 1,800 projects and their communities have benefited from this funding. Biffaward is committed to continuing this rewarding work and ensuring that the next £100 million in funding continues to be allocated effectively, reaching those projects that most need supporting. Such an achievement would not be possible without the dedication and hard work from our Biffaward team, Biffa Waste Services and the hundreds of projects."

To mark this milestone, Biffaward is funding an extensive project in partnership with the Woodland Trust, the UK's leading woodland conservation charity. The project, entitled Biffaward Woodland Walks, has been awarded £120,000 in funding, enabling the Woodland Trust to undertake a variety of improvements across 12 woodland sites - from Northern Ireland to the South East of England. Through a variety of inspirational activities, the project aims to promote access to woods and inspire people to enjoy the natural world for recreation, enjoyment and exercise. It will improve understanding of the natural environment and its relationship with human activities through:

• Undertaking access improvements at a number of Woodland Trust sites.
• Installing integrated and innovative interpretation to increase public awareness.
• Restoring habitats for wildlife, so that people can understand the importance of woodland.
• Increasing the health benefits for local communities by informing people about the benefits of woodland for recreation and involving them in volunteer projects.

Work is currently underway and all improvements will take place within 12 months.

Mark Brown, Woodland Trust Grants Officer says "Biffaward has been exceptionally supportive of the Trust, providing nearly £1.2 million for 18 of our projects over the last ten years, and we are extremely grateful to have new funding to embark on this exciting programme with such a breadth of opportunities right across the country."