Successful projects
We are pleased to announce the four projects receiving support through CrossCountry’s Biodiversity Improvement Projects Fund for 2026/27.
The fund supports projects that protect and restore nature, create measurable biodiversity benefits and connect communities with greener, more resilient places across the CrossCountry network. This year’s successful projects will support pollinators, improve station and healthcare green spaces, plant native trees and strengthen wildlife monitoring.
Pollinator Pathways, Newcastle
Delivered by Scotswood Natural Community Garden, Pollinator Pathways will grow and distribute 2,500 peat-free, pollinator-friendly perennial plants representing at least 50 species across Newcastle and Gateshead. Weekly growing sessions, pollinator training, support for schools and community groups, three school rain gardens and a Blossom Day distribution event will create connected habitats while building local skills and community involvement.
Worcestershire Parkway Eco Area
Worcestershire Community Rail Partnership will deliver the next phase of the eco area at Worcestershire Parkway with the Bee Friendly Trust. The project will add native trees, carved wildlife habitat posts, natural-material artwork and other biodiversity features, supported by school co-design, community planting days and creative workshops. It will improve biodiversity and the passenger environment while strengthening community ownership of a key CrossCountry station.
Tree Planting on NHS Sites
GreenTheUK will work with NHS Forest to plant 1,000 climate-resilient native trees across around 10–12 healthcare sites. The project will improve biodiversity, air quality, shade and access to restorative green space for patients, staff, visitors and local communities. It will also create an opportunity for CrossCountry colleagues to take part in volunteering, with delivery, site permissions and impact reporting coordinated by GreenTheUK and NHS Forest.
National Hedgehog Monitoring Programme
GreenTheUK will support the National Hedgehog Monitoring Programme in a community served by CrossCountry, with the final location to be confirmed from Durham, Edinburgh or Glasgow. The project will fund trail-camera placements, 30-day monitoring, local hub coordination, data analysis, an educational webinar and reporting. More than 400 citizen scientists and volunteers are expected to contribute, strengthening conservation evidence for hedgehogs and wider wildlife.
Future funding
Applications for the 2026/27 Biodiversity Improvement Projects Fund have now closed.
Subject to funding being available, we expect the Biodiversity Improvement Projects Fund to reopen for applications in 2027. Further information, including application dates and guidance, will be published on this page nearer the time.
We would like to thank every organisation that applied and everyone working to protect and enhance nature in the communities served by CrossCountry.
