Rayleigh and Wickford MP Mark Francois MP pledged to ‘value our natural heritage’ this week after meeting local nature conservation organisation Essex Wildlife Trust and the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) at the House of Commons. The event was held to highlight the value of funding nature and it showcased a number of Wildlife Trust projects funded by HLF around the UK.
Mark Francois, who has been a member of the Essex Wildlife Trust for many years, said:
“It was great to hear how HLF funded Wildlife Trust projects have brought benefits to local wildlife and people. This shows what can be done if a body invests in and values the natural environment. I look forward to Essex Wildlife Trust and the Heritage Lottery Fund continuing to work together to protect and restore nature and to help people engage with the natural world.”
“We are at a pivotal moment for nature which is vital to our lives and well-being. The Government has committed to producing a Natural Environment White Paper in May. We hope this will provide the right policy framework so that nature can thrive”.