£20,000 National Lottery Community Fund grant to inspire the next generation of nature champions

25 March 2026

Amphibian and Reptile Conservation (ARC) is delighted to share that we have been awarded £20,000 from the National Lottery Community Fund’s Awards for All programme to support a Youth Nature Connections project over the coming year. 

We would like to extend our sincere thanks to National Lottery players and to the Fund for recognising the importance of connecting young people with the natural world. This support comes at a critical time, as demand for meaningful, nature-based learning opportunities continues to grow across Dorset and the New Forest. 

Youth Nature Connections forms a key part of ARC’s wider education programme, Hop Spots, helping young people build lasting relationships with nature, particularly with amphibians and reptiles - species that are often overlooked, yet vital to healthy ecosystems. 

Through this funding, ARC will expand delivery of inclusive, accessible activities designed in direct response to what young people have told us they value most: hands-on, practical experiences that go beyond the classroom. 

Over the next year, the programme will deliver a range of outcomes, including: 

• Multiple curriculum-linked lessons for schools, supporting both primary and secondary learners  

• A series of lectures, workshops and fieldwork opportunities for further and higher education students  

• Conservation volunteering sessions, enabling young people to take an active role in protecting local habitats  

• Community nature events hosted at locations such as the New Forest Reptile Centre and local nature reserves  

• Opportunities for work experience, helping young people explore pathways into conservation and environmental careers. 

Activities will take place both in schools, colleges and universities, and outdoors, offering a range of opportunities - from introductory sessions through to experiencing wildlife first-hand in natural settings. To maximise impact, the programme will be delivered in collaboration with local partners and education networks, helping to embed Youth Nature Connections within the wider community and ensure it reaches those who will benefit most. 

The Awards for All grant enables ARC to keep these opportunities free or low cost, supporting wider outreach and ensuring more young people can take part. Therefore, this funding is more than just financial support, it is an investment in the future. By helping young people connect with nature now, we are supporting the next generation connect with, learn about and act for the natural world. 

We are incredibly grateful to the National Lottery Community Fund for making this work possible, and we look forward to sharing the impact of Youth Nature Connections over the coming year.