The Government is boosting funding for community-driven environmental projects to protect and restore Victoria’s precious natural environment into the future.
Minister for Environment Steve Dimopoulos announced on Wednesday 20 March that environmental volunteer groups can now access $3.55 million in grant funding through the 2024 Victorian Landcare Grants program – supporting more projects that protect and restore the state’s iconic natural assets.
Minister Dimopoulos said that they’re proud to support volunteers who work tirelessly to ensure our precious biodiversity can be protected and preserved for future generations.
“These grants play such an important role in enabling more community-driven environmental initiatives that help protect Victoria’s landscapes, rivers, parks, forests, coasts, and the native wildlife that call our beautiful natural environment home,” he said.
These grants are open to environmental volunteer groups and networks, including Landcare groups and networks, Friends groups, Conservation Management Networks, Committees of Management, Coastcare groups and Aboriginal groups.
Project grants of up to $20,000 are available for on-ground works and community-based projects focused on preserving native vegetation and wildlife, waterways, wetlands, soils, and other natural habitats and ecosystems.
Support Grants of up to $500 are available to assist with costs such as insurance, incorporation and operational expenses, events, community engagement, websites, and other communications.
Last year, these grants funded more than 240 projects – from planting pollinator corridors for bees in the Mount Alexander region to restoring rainforest in the Yarra Ranges – helping to strengthen protections through vital on-ground natural environment improvement works and community-based education and engagement initiatives.
The Friends of the Leadbeater’s Possum (FOLP), Friends of Sassafrass Creek Inc and Friends of Sherbrooke Froest Inc received a boost in their collective environmental efforts in the 2023 round.
Since 2000, the Victorian Landcare Grants have invested $79 million in communities to support conservation efforts and empower Victorians to protect and restore the state’s irreplaceable landscapes, rivers, coasts, native flora and fauna.
The grants will help achieve targets set in Protecting Victoria’s Environment – Biodiversity 2037, the Victorian Government’s 20 year plan to protect our environment and native species.
Applications for the Victorian Landcare Grants will close at 5pm April 30.
For more information and to apply, visit www.environment.vic.gov.au/grants/victorian-landcare-grants.
