The Veolia Environmental Trust is supporting Wildwood Trust, a native species conservation charity, with £45,000 for an ambitious wildcat conservation project in partnership with Canterbury City Council.
Veolia Environmental Trust’s £45,000 grant will expand the Wildwood Trust’s vital breeding facilities, helping to increase wildcats from seven to ten breeding pairs. This will enable the programme to eventually release wildcats into carefully selected habitats from 2027, with the potential to produce kittens annually.
The initiative will reintroduce wildcats across the UK, establishing the first population outside Scotland since the 1800s. With fewer than 300 wildcats remaining in the wild, these native animals are now functionally extinct in Britain.
The wildcat conservation project extends beyond breeding to include educational initiatives. Through interactive programmes and exhibits, visitors to the Wildwood Trust will learn about the native species, and the importance of biodiversity conservation.
Andrew Brown, Executive Director of the Veolia Environmental Trust, said: “We’re proud to support this vital initiative to protect the UK’s endangered wildcats. The Veolia Environmental Trust is committed to funding projects that enhance biodiversity and create lasting positive change, with this conservation programme not only restoring natural ecosystems but also promoting long-term positive environmental behaviours in communities.’’
The Veolia Environmental Trust has been supporting environmental projects through the Landfill Communities Fund since 1997. To date, it has distributed over £109 million, funding more than 2,843 grants for projects ranging from community initiatives to nature reserves such as Wildwood Trust’s. For more information about Veolia Environmental Trust, please visit www.veoliatrust.org/.
