NATURE lovers with innovative ideas on how to help wildlife can now be offered £1,000 to make their visions a reality.

The money will be made available through the Cheshire region Biodiversity Partnership (CrBP) as it announces the opening of the 2010 Small Projects Grant Scheme.

Projects should demonstrate that they are working towards creating a Cheshire region richer in wildlife by 2020 – a vision of the CrBP and its partners, including the region’s leading independent conservation charity, the Cheshire Wildlife Trust.

From farmland birds to newts and butterflies, and valuable habitats such as hedgerows, grasslands and ponds, the scheme aims to help species and habitats that are considered vulnerable or declining in Cheshire.

The grants will pay for costs of each project including materials, research and surveys, habitat management, technical advice, signage and training.

Last year’s winners included Wirral Barn Owl Trust and The Friends of Caldy Nature Reserve.

Sarah Bennett, Cheshire region biodiversity manager said: “The grants will be awarded to projects that aim to make a real difference for wildlife and biodiversity. Local, hands-on community involvement is at the heart of some of the most successful conservation projects, and we hope that the grants will give people a kick-start to get stuck in and bring their ideas to life.”

FIND out more and apply at www. cheshire-biodiversity.org.uk