Trust named among winners of new £1m Airbnb fund

Derbyshire Wildlife Trust has been named among the inaugural winners of a £1 million initiative aimed at boosting the UK tourism and hospitality sector.

The trust is one of over 20 small businesses and enterprises to have been granted funding from the Best of British Fund, launched by Airbnb in partnership with Visit Britain.

The fund aims to fuel local hospitality, boost tourism in communities across the UK, and celebrate the traditions and experiences that make British travel unique and unforgettable.

Out of thousands of applications, the winners will be provided with a grant to help transform their local projects into must-see visitor experiences.

With its funding, Derbyshire Wildlife Trust plans to make wild spaces even more accessible.

It will create engaging walk-through videos so visitors can ‘know before they go’, install beautifully designed welcome features, orientation boards, waymarkers, and locally sourced, accessible visitor furniture.

The trust is also exploring citizen science opportunities, such as fixed-point photography and digital wild maps, to allow visitors to actively monitor and engage with this changing landscape.

Katherine Clarke, head of wilder communities at Derbyshire Wildlife Trust, said: “This is a hugely exciting moment for all of us at Derbyshire Wildlife Trust.

“Our goal is to rewild landscapes, reintroduce lost species, and create a connected network of wildlife-rich spaces close to where people live, so they can enjoy nature on their doorstep.

“With Airbnb’s support, we can enhance these wild places, welcoming more people to experience a wilder Derbyshire and inspiring more communities to take action for wildlife.

“Partnerships like this are vital as we work to restore nature at scale and ensure people and wildlife thrive together.”