The Environment, Planning and Sustainable Development Directorate has launched its Environment Grants Program for 2018.
Minister for the Environment and Heritage, Mick Gentleman said the ACT Environment Grants Program was celebrating its twenty-first year of helping individuals and groups with projects that strengthened on-ground environmental restoration and rehabilitation.
“Canberra is renowned as the bush capital and we are fortunate to have many local groups who take great pride in helping look after it, and who can use the support provided by the grants,” Mr Gentleman said.
“Over $200,000 is available in this year’s Program, so I encourage the community to put forward project ideas and participate in environmental work that helps care for, restore and rehabilitate Canberra’s natural spaces.”
He said the grants were a successful way to raise community awareness about the ACT’s natural treasures and to foster community engagement.
Mr Gentleman said the grants, which are open to individuals and groups, fund projects up to $50,000.
He said projects funded last year encouraged community participation in caring for wildlife; on-ground activities such as revegetation, erosion control and weed management; and the recording of species through citizen science.
Mr Gentleman said funding priorities for 2018–19 included enhancing the condition of and connectivity for ecosystems; managing threats to biodiversity; protecting native plants and animals; enhancing biodiversity in urban areas; engaging the community; connecting people to nature; and improving opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander residents.
“I look forward to seeing the ideas Canberrans put forward, and to receiving innovative and effective project ideas to restore and improve the condition of our environment,” the Minister said.
Grant applications close on 28 June.
