Community groups in South West Sydney can now apply for funding of up to $30,000 for projects aimed at protecting, promoting and caring for the environment.
Greater Sydney Local Land Services regional landcare facilitator Vanessa Keyzer is encouraging not-for-profit groups such as land and bush care volunteers to apply for the Community Landcare grants.
“We are looking for projects that aim to maintain and improve environmental values through various activities including weed and pest control, bush regeneration and erosion management,” she said.
“Projects that aim to build community awareness, participation, skills and knowledge in caring for the environment are also eligible.
“This can include the delivery of workshops, training courses, events, booklets and media campaigns.”
Citizen science officer for the National Parks Association of NSW Margot Law encouraged not-for-profit groups to apply.
“We had two projects funded through this program last year which included the hugely successful Bush Mates program in response to the extensive housing development occurring in the South West Sydney region,” Ms Law said.
“The funding helped us hone in on new and existing residents throughout the area to encourage a respectful, sustainable relationship between them and the surrounding wildlife and habitat which includes the Cumberland Plain woodland.”
The association also secured funding towards a project to protect the Water Dragons that inhabit around Sydney Harbour.
“Through the funding from Greater Sydney Local Land Services we have been able to reach a wider audience to increase awareness of who we are, what we do and why it is so important to protect our environment as a community,” she said.
Applications for the Community Landcare grants close on Monday, September 12.
Visit the Greater Sydney Local Land Services website for further information.
♦ Greater Sydney Community Landcare Grants is supported through funding from the Australian Government’s National Landcare Program.
