Communities across the West Midlands are being encouraged to discover wildlife on their doorstep as the Big Lottery Fund prepares to plough £2 million of good cause cash into improving the environment through protecting and creating wildlife habitats for everyone to enjoy.

Launching on BBC’s Springwatch show on 8 June (BBC Two at 8pm), BIG’s Community Wildlife funding programme will offer grants of between £300 and £10,000 to projects that bring communities together to improve or protect the natural environment by raising awareness of threatened wildlife or places.

From bird, bat or badger watching, to creating nature trails, woodland walks and wildlife gardens, Community Wildlife will award grants to voluntary or community sector organisations, town and parish councils, schools and health bodies committed to bringing people together to learn about nature.

For more information please view the press release or visit the Community Wildlife website page.

There are three deadlines for applications: 21 July, 22 September and 24 November 2010.