THE NATIONAL TRUST FOR PLACES OF HISTORIC INTEREST OR NATURAL BEAUTY grants

Castle Ward Estate contains a rare and ecologically important area of semi-natural broadleaf woodland within the Strangford Lough AONB. The woodland supports priority habitats and protected species, including red squirrels, pine martens and badgers, making sensitive management and habitat protection essential throughout the restoration programme. The primary threat to the woodland is the spread of invasive non-native species, particularly cherry laurel and Rhododendron ponticum, which suppress native regeneration and reduce biodiversity. This project aims to restore woodland health through invasive species control, sycamore thinning and enrichment planting of native species, especially hazel, while ensuring compliance with environmental legislation and best practice. The successful contractor will act as Forest Works Manager and deliver all restoration works between 1 October 2026 and 28 February 2027. This will include invasive species removal, sycamore removal, native planting and site clearance, with all cutting, felling and arisings completed by the end of February 2027. Follow-up invasive species treatments will be required during 2027 and 2028 to ensure long-term restoration success. Closing date for RFP - 10th August 2026 Deadline fro Queries - 1st August 2026 Award Contract - 19th August 2026 This opportunity is being conducted on the Proactis Plaza portal. https://supplierlive.proactisp2p.com/ Click on the "Opportunities" button and filter on Customer name - The National Trust All communication is to be carried out via the Proactis portal. Participating Suppliers will bear their own costs, and seek appropriate advice, for the preparation of their response.

The Trust, on behalf of the Forever Lough Neagh Collaborators, is seeking proposals from suitably experienced facilitators, organisations, or partnerships to design and deliver an independent Quality Assurance (QA) process to support the development of Lough Neagh: A Roadmap to Recovery. Running alongside a multidisciplinary consultancy commissioned to develop the Roadmap, the QA process will provide robust scrutiny through structured peer review and public review panels. The successful contractor will establish and facilitate a framework to assess and challenge emerging recommendations, ensuring they are evidence-based, technically sound, inclusive, transparent, and informed by community perspectives. The contract is expected to commence in September/October 2026 and run for 12 months, subject to funding availability. Tenderers should note that costs submitted must remain valid for up to six months should commencement be delayed to allow for fundraising. This QA process is a key element in ensuring the integrity, credibility, and long-term legitimacy of the Roadmap to Recovery for Lough Neagh. 14/08/26 - Clarification Window Closes 28/08/26 - Return of RFP 15/09/26 - Anticipated Contract Start Date The tender is being conducted via the Proactis Plaza portal. http://www.proactisplaza.com/ Search for The National Trust in the opportunities section and follow the instructions

The National Trust is seeking suitably qualified ecological consultants to support the recovery of the Critically Endangered Diamond-backed Spider (Thanatus formicinus). The commission is divided into three work packages. This opportunity relates to Package A: spider ecology, monitoring and research across Clumber Park and the Sherwood Forest landscape. The project will improve understanding of the species' ecology, breeding phenology and dispersal, provide habitat management guidance, assess habitat connectivity, and develop a translocation methodology and implementation plan by 2029. Work will be undertaken in collaboration with the National Trust, British Arachnological Society, University of Nottingham and other stakeholders. The project runs from 2026-2029. This opportunity is being conducted on the Proactis Plaza portal. https://supplierlive.proactisp2p.com/ If you would like to be involved, please ensure you have access to your Proactis account and let us know your supplier number so that we can make sure you have access to the tender pack. If you do not have a Proactis account please create one and let us know your supplier number. There is no cost to have a Proactis account.

CONTEXT Nature Towns and Cities is a growing coalition, united by a shared mission to create greener, healthier and more resilient towns, cities and neighbourhoods and for millions more people to have access to nature close to home, no matter where they live. THE COMMISSION As part of this programme, we are developing a group learning offer for programme participants - primarily local authority practitioners, but also place-based partnerships of NGOs, community organisations and others. The group leaning should help them to unlock new funding and finance for urban nature - benefitting people, place and nature. We are looking for an external consultant, or consortium to develop and deliver a group learning course on funding and finance for urban nature, including but not limited to repayable investment and developing new funding models. BUDGET We have a maximum of £20,000 (inc. VAT) for this work. INFO TO BE RETURNED Submissions should include the following information: • Outline of your proposed approach to the project, including details of how you would approach developing and delivering the course. • Description of your relevant experience and abridged CVs of the proposed project team. • Proposed budget breakdown. • Details of any matters or concerns not covered by this brief. Submissions should be no more than 10 pages in length. Abridged CVs can be included as appendices. These should be returned to anne.mackinnon@nationaltrust.org.uk by the deadline of 5pm, Friday 31st July 2026. Please see the attached Invite to Tender document for full details.