BASC Wildlife fund – backing practical conservation
- Felicity Marshall
- July 28, 2023
- 2:00 pm
A range of species and habitats are set to benefit from the BASC Wildlife Fund, which is targeted at conservation activities linked to sustainable shooting.
The BASC Wildlife Fund awards grants to fund conservation projects in the UK and abroad, plus provides loans for land purchase. All initiatives receiving support must demonstrate the wider benefits of sustainable shooting for biodiversity and connecting people to the environment.
The ability of the BASC Wildlife Fund to award grants to conservation projects is due to generous donations from BASC members and the wider shooting community.
Other fundraising efforts include the annual sale of limited edition artwork and collectable stamps, which this year is titled “Capercaillie on Cairngorms”, by renowned wildlife artist Simon Trinder. Find out more about how to buy yours here.
Benefitting species
The BASC Wildlife Fund is a consolidation and expansion of several arm-length trusts and charitable endeavours that have to date assisted with the purchase of land worth £3.7 million for BASC-affiliated clubs, and £520,000 in grants for conservation projects.
Curlew, hen harriers, Eurasian wigeon and wetland areas are among a long list of species and habitats that have already benefited from such funding.
Caroline Bedell, BASC executive director for conservation, said: “The shooting community are the original conservationists, actively managing wildlife populations and the land to provide healthy habitats and to allow for the sustainable take of quarry. The BASC Wildlife Fund will further support that work by strengthening the interconnectivity between shooting and conservation.
“BASC has already played such a significant step in providing access and opportunities for conservation to be undertaken. The creation of the BASC Wildlife Fund is simply the next step to continuing to support practical conservation.”
