Avon Wildlife Trust strengthens nature networks at Hutton Hill, with support from National Grid

The charity has received a £16,000 grant to support its Hutton Hill: Strengthening Nature’s Network project, helping to develop the site as a hub for conservation, volunteering and community engagement.

To date, the funding has enabled the Trust to invest in essential tools, equipment and PPE for volunteers, including brush cutters and chainsaws, as well as the construction of on-site compost toilet facilities. It has also supported the delivery of training courses, helping ensure volunteers feel confident and safe using the new equipment. 

The Hutton Hill project will also play an important role in restoring habitats and creating more opportunities for local people to get involved in protecting wildlife. As part of this, the grant will fund first aid training for 20 volunteers and staff, as well as tractor training to increase the number of people able to operate key land management machinery. 

Further improvements will be made to the Hutton Hill hub, including surfacing the Dutch barn and surrounding area to improve access, expand parking and enhance storage facilities. CCTV will also be installed to increase security, and a new mezzanine level will be added to make better use of space within the main storage barn.

Andy Jones, Nature Reserve Manager at Avon Wildlife Trust, said: 

Hutton Hill is an important base for our conservation work in the Mendips. This latest round of Community Grant funding will help us strengthen the site so we can continue restoring habitats, supporting wildlife and involving more people in caring for the natural environment.

Yuliya Firmino Ruiz, the Hinkley Connection Project Director at National Grid, said: 

Conserving the landscape of the Mendip Hills has been a hugely important focus for us throughout the construction of this project. Our underground cabling facilitated the removal of 35 pylons between Loxton and Sandford, leaving the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty pylon free for the first time in almost 100 years. 

As we now complete our reinstatement works, it’s great to see Avon Wildlife Trust continuing to preserve and steward the area by restoring habitats and ensuring the Mendips continue to thrive for both wildlife and local communities. We’re delighted to support the project through our Community Grant Programme.

This is the third grant awarded by National Grid to support work at Hutton Hill, helping Avon Wildlife Trust make the most of the site for volunteer support, training and community engagement.

Avon Wildlife Trust is the largest local charity working to protect wildlife and inspire people to care for nature across the West of England. With more than 17,000 members and over 500 volunteers, the organisation works with schools, families, businesses and communities to help people connect with the natural environment while addressing climate and ecological challenges.

National Grid’s Community Grant Programme has provided more than 100 grants, totalling £1.6 million, to support local projects along the route of the Hinkley Connection Project. The programme supports community groups and charities along the project route to deliver initiatives that benefit communities and leave a positive legacy for the future.

Local civic and community groups affected by construction works associated with the project may still be eligible to apply for grants of up to £20,000. Full details of the eligibility criteria and application process are available here.