THE state government is providing a $4.4 million funding boost to volunteers and young people across the state, to help them protect and restore the natural environment in our area.
Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing is encouraging volunteer groups across Gippsland to apply for the 2023 Victorian Landcare Grants and the 2023 Victorian Junior Landcare and Biodiversity Grants, which are now open to help volunteers and kids care for the state’s precious environment and biodiversity.
Through the Victorian Landcare Grants, environmental volunteer groups can apply for up to $20,000 for on-ground works and community education projects that protect or improve the natural environment across Gippsland.
Support grants of up to $500 are also available to help with group administration and running costs.
“These grants will help volunteers of all ages across Gippsland to continue the crucial work to restore and improve habitats for our native plants and animals,” Ms Shing said.
“We know Victorians love being out in nature – and we are investing to ensure our precious and unique environment can be enjoyed by future generations.
“This funding will assist our hard-working volunteers, community groups and young people to continue caring for our beautiful, diverse, and vitally important natural environments.”
The Victorian Landcare grants are open to environmental volunteering groups, including Landcare groups and networks, friends groups, conservation management networks, committees of management, Coastcare groups and Aboriginal groups to support the important work they do in protecting and restoring the land and environment.
More than 200 projects were funded through last year’s grants, including revegetation projects at Burnet Park Camp, planting a firewise demonstration garden in Nungurner, and the planting of thousands of Indigenous plants in gardens across East Gippsland.
Grants of up to $5000 will be available for projects that provide childcare centres, kindergartens, primary and secondary schools, Scouts, Girl Guides and youth groups in Wellington with an opportunity to participate in hands-on projects planting Indigenous gardens, building habitat to attract native insects and birds, collecting data about nature and excursions to wildlife sanctuaries.
For more information about how to apply, visit environment.vic.gov.au/grants
