Natural England has announced that more than £2.5m is set to be invested in 12 projects as part of its Access to Nature programme, which is designed to increase public access to the natural environment.

Funded through the Big Lottery Fund's Changing Spaces programme, the organisation is planning to open up farms and community woodland and provide a range of water-based activities as part of the wider £25m initiative. Water-based schemes include the Blue Sound project, run in conjunction with the Marine Biological Association to allow people to explore Plymouth Sound and its estuaries, the Swinton Lock Activity Centre, South Yorkshire, and Lewisham's Rivers and People project in London.

A range of user groups, including mobility-impaired people and black and ethnic minority communities, will also receive support as part of the latest funding announcement in a bid to open up more opportunities to access England's natural environment. Natural England chief executive Helen Phillips said: "Opportunities to enjoy the natural environment should be an entitlement not a luxury and the Access to Nature Scheme has consistently proved its worth in helping communities up and down the country gain better access to wildlife and natural spaces.

"Through these grants we are able to support a further series of innovative and exciting community projects that promote the natural environment in such interesting ways."