Severn Trent Boost For Biodiversity Fund

Charity Number: CUSTOM_8B4A36C9

Annual Expenditure: £0.2M

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £200,000 (per funding round)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly available
  • Decision Time: 6 weeks
  • Grant Range: £500 - £30,000 (typical grants £500-£3,000)
  • Geographic Focus: Severn Trent region (Midlands and Mid-Wales)

Contact Details

Website: https://www.stwater.co.uk/about-us/environment/biodiversity/boost-for-biodiversity/

Email: EcologyMatters@severntrent.co.uk

Pre-application Support: Members of Severn Trent's Biodiversity and Ecology Team are available for advice with the application process. Queries are typically responded to within 7 working days.

Overview

The Boost for Biodiversity Fund is a grant scheme operated by Severn Trent Water to support biodiversity improvement projects across their operational region. Launched in 2019, the fund has completed five years of grant-making with a £200,000 annual budget. Over this period, the scheme has enabled over 800 hectares of nature improvement across the Midlands and Mid-Wales, working with schools, NGOs, community groups, charities, businesses, councils, farmers, and landowners. The fund prioritizes projects that create or enhance habitats with measurable biodiversity benefits while providing wider environmental, economic, and social value to communities. Severn Trent created a dedicated in-house Biodiversity and Ecology Team to manage these initiatives, winning recognition including a Climate and Nature Action award for their conservation work.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

  • Boost for Biodiversity: £500 - £30,000 (typical grants £500-£3,000)
  • Open to biodiversity improvement projects covering 0.5-30 hectares
  • Applications submitted via FlexiGrant online portal
  • Fixed deadline (historically late March with decisions by early May)
  • 50% payment on agreement, 50% on completion

Priority Areas

  • Habitat creation and restoration: Wildflower meadows, woodland management, wetland restoration
  • Species-specific conservation: Bird boxes, bat habitat, white-clawed crayfish protection
  • Invasive species management: Non-native species control projects
  • Linear features: Hedgerows, road-side verges, river corridors (converted as 1km = 1 hectare)
  • Water quality improvement: Projects that contribute to improved water quality and natural flood management
  • Community engagement: Projects with educational and social benefits
  • “Shovel ready” projects: Projects ready for immediate implementation upon funding

What They Don't Fund

  • Areas that have previously received biodiversity funding from Severn Trent
  • Projects receiving funding for the same interventions from other sources
  • Areas smaller than 0.5 hectares or larger than 30 hectares (except linear features)
  • Projects without a 5-year management plan
  • Areas intended for sale as Biodiversity Net Gain credits within the funding period
  • Projects outside the Severn Trent region
  • Applicants under 18 years of age
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Governance and Leadership

Graham Osborn, Principal Ecologist and Biodiversity Team Lead at Severn Trent, leads the dedicated Biodiversity and Ecology Team. Osborn stated: “These awards reinforce the passion we have at Severn Trent working on exciting projects that are truly doing the best for nature, the environment, our water and protecting and restoring it all for future generations.”

Liv Garfield, CEO of Severn Trent, emphasized the dual benefits of the program: "For us, it's a real win-win situation. These projects allow us to give something back to the communities we serve and boost biodiversity across the region – which has proven to dramatically improve water quality as part of the process."

The team works in partnership with organizations including Wildlife Trusts, Natural England, Moors for the Future, and the National Forest to deliver conservation outcomes.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

  • Register an account on Severn Trent's FlexiGrant portal
  • Complete the online application form detailing your project and its biodiversity benefits
  • Submit required materials:
  • Clearly labelled map outlining the project boundary
  • Photos of the project area
  • 5-year management plan
  • Project completion date
  • Maximum 3 project applications per applicant
  • Applications must be from applicants 18 years or older

Decision Timeline

  • Applications typically open in late February and close in late March
  • All applicants contacted regarding success by early May
  • Decision timeline: approximately 6 weeks from application closure
  • Applications are shortlisted before successful proposals are contacted
  • Successful applicants invited to sign agreement with Severn Trent to access funding

Success Rates

Specific success rates are not publicly available. The program awards from a £200,000 annual fund distributed across successful projects, with typical grants ranging from £500 to £3,000. Notable larger grants have included £17,000 and £30,000 for multi-site or significant restoration projects.

Reapplication Policy

Information about reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants is not publicly specified. Applicants are encouraged to contact the Biodiversity and Ecology Team at EcologyMatters@severntrent.co.uk for guidance.

Application Success Factors

Scoring Criteria: Applications are scored against four key criteria:

  1. Area/length of biodiversity improvement: Larger projects score higher
  2. Number and quality of wider project benefits: Community engagement, natural flood management, species-specific benefits, water quality improvement, environmental awareness
  3. Value for money: Project benefits compared to cost
  4. SSSI improvement potential: Benefits to Sites of Special Scientific Interest

Direct Advice from Severn Trent:

  • "Don't be restrained about the size of a project – could you collaborate with other groups or neighbours?"
  • “Take a look at the success stories on the Severn Trent website for inspiration”
  • Submit clearly labelled maps and photos to help assessors understand project impact and ensure accurate scoring
  • Contact the Biodiversity and Ecology Team before applying for application advice

Examples of Funded Projects:

  • Warwickshire Wildlife Trust (£17,000): Created over 100 tree sparrow boxes across 11 farms in the Arden Farm Wildlife Network, with wildflower seed mixes to attract insects and provide winter food sources
  • Small Woods (£30,000): Woodland restoration including coppicing at Lime Kiln Woods and hedge laying at Dothill Nature Reserve
  • Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust: Invasive signal crayfish management to protect native white-clawed crayfish populations
  • Flower-rich roadside verges in Shropshire
  • Meadow reinstatement in Warwickshire
  • Hedgehog highway in Keyworth, Nottingham

Key Language and Terminology:

  • Emphasize “biodiversity improvement” and measurable habitat creation/enhancement
  • Highlight “wider benefits” including water quality, natural flood management, community engagement
  • Reference “shovel ready” if project can begin immediately
  • Include specific habitat area in hectares
  • Demonstrate “value for money” with clear cost breakdowns

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Think collaboratively: Larger projects involving multiple landowners or partners score better—consider collaborating with neighbors or farm networks to increase project scale
  • Demonstrate multiple benefits: Beyond biodiversity, emphasize water quality improvements, community engagement, species-specific conservation, and educational opportunities
  • Be specific with measurements: Clearly quantify the hectares of habitat improvement and provide detailed maps and photographic evidence
  • Prepare comprehensive management plans: The mandatory 5-year management plan demonstrates long-term commitment and project sustainability
  • Contact the team early: The Biodiversity and Ecology Team responds within 7 working days and can provide valuable guidance before submission
  • Study success stories: Review previously funded projects on their website to understand the types of interventions that score well
  • Value for money matters: While larger grants are available, most awards are £500-£3,000, so demonstrate cost-effectiveness in your budget breakdown

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