Children and residents near West Midlands beauty spots are to learn how to better value the treasures on their doorstep.
A range of projects in the West Midlands will receive funding to develop environmentally-friendly projects at locations officially designated Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
The four AONBs in the West Midlands to benefit from the #150,000 cash windfall are Cannock Chase, The Malvern Hills, Shropshire Hills and the Wye Valley.
Schemes in the pipeline at the sites include a sustainable not-for-profit sustainable campsite in the Wyre Valley, a project to set up composting facilitates in schools in Cannock.
The cash boost came via Natural England's Sustainable Development Fund. The fund was set up to protect AONBs, while simultaneously ensuring local communities prosper. A total of 34 projects in AONBs nationally benefited from the funding.
Tony Percival, the West Midlands' Regional Director of Natural England, said it was "immensely pleasing" to see investment in the region's AONBs. "The projects that have been taken forward in these environmentally important areas are testament to the continuing efforts of the local communities who care so much about this sensitive and unique environment which is in turn valued so highly by the wider public".
In the Wye Valley local timber and green technology will be used to create a sustainable campsite for young people.
Biblins Youth Campsite, on the banks of the river Wye on the Herefordshire-Gloucestershire border, provides an often 'life-changing' backwoods camping experience, free from the paraphernalia of modern life.
A new bunk-house is being built out of green oak from the banks of the river Wye, along with a solar-powered, earth-clad shower block.
It is so remote there is no mobile phone coverage and the nearest village is several miles away.
"Staying there is life-changing for many kids," said a Wye Valley OANB spokesman. "Because it is so remote that there are no distractions from TV or mobile phones and it's often the first time that many people will have been somewhere like that."
The cash will also be used to revitalise struggling Shropshire farmers' markets in Ludlow. Marketing plans for six farmers' markets will be drawn up in consultation with market organisers including identifying customer incentive and the creation and placement of promotional material.
Barry Gardiner, minister for Biodiversity, Landscape and Rural Affairs, said appreciating AONBs could ultimately help tackle climate change.
"Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty are good for our health and wellbeing, and with our support the people living in and around them can help to combat climate change, and take us a step closer to what we call one planet living."
