There is just a couple of weeks left for community groups, businesses, educational institutions and public sector bodies to enter the 2024 West Midlands Natural Environment Awards.

Set up by the West Midlands Combined Authority, the second annual awards will celebrate the green projects in Birmingham, Coventry, Dudley, Sandwell, Solihull, Walsall and Wolverhampton that are providing communities with new or improved access to nature - one of the key aims of the region’s Natural Environment Plan.

The awards also aim to inspire new projects and increase awareness about the importance of preserving the natural environment and the positive impact it can have on the health and wellbeing of local people.

Applications must be submitted in the four categories - Business, Community, Public Sector, and Education - by 12 noon on 15 January 2024. The winners will be announced by Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands and WMCA chair, at an event in March.

It will be co-hosted by Beth Collier, founder of Wild in the City – a charity that inspires people to spend more time outdoors to help make nature a meaningful part of their everyday lives. The Mayor said:

“Our Natural Environment Awards are a wonderful opportunity to recognise the hard work local people are putting in to protect, restore and enhance the green spaces and waterways that we are blessed with here in our region.

“I wish those applying for our 2024 awards the very best of luck and look forward to celebrating the commitment and achievements of all nominees at our awards ceremony next year.”

The winners of the 2023 awards were the Armed Forces Community Garden in Solihull, the Wildlife and Wellbeing Area at Kings Rise Academy in Kingstanding, the Linear Park in Coventry, and the Purple Horizons Nature Recovery Project. Cllr John Cotton, WMCA portfolio lead for environment and energy, and leader of Birmingham City Council, said:

“We all have a duty to look after where we live and protect our natural environment. Through these awards, the efforts of passionate community groups, businesses, local authorities and educational institutions will receive the recognition they rightly deserve.

“Please do apply if you’ve been involved with a project that meets the criteria as your story will help to inspire others.”

Submit an application or be inspired by the 2023 winners on the West Midlands Combined Authority's website.