City spending £490,000 boosting access to nature
Sunderland City CouncilResidents are being asked how £490,000 in lottery funding should be spent on improving their city's access to nature.
Sunderland City Council has launched a consultation on its Connecting Through Nature project, which aims to improve people's health and wellbeing by encouraging them to spend more time outdoors.
Councillor Lindsey Leonard said the city was home to "beautiful nature" such as its parks, walking routes, coastline and riverbanks.
"We want to know what would make this more accessible for our residents and what they want from the project," she said.
The scheme is part of the national Nature Towns and Cities programme and is funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and the council and delivered in partnership with Durham Wildlife Trust.
The council also plans to create volunteering opportunities, outdoor activities, training and nature-based health activities.
"This project is all about making the benefits of nature easier for everyone to enjoy so we want residents to help shape what happens next and I would encourage everyone to take part in the survey," Leonard said.
