This black wallaby is looking very well fed after a visit to a Landcare planting at the Loddon River near Newstead. Photo: Patrick Kavanagh | CC BY 2.0

The Victorian Government has released Protecting Victoria’s Environment – Biodiversity 2037 and also announced $1 million in funding for Community & Volunteer Action grants. The deadline to apply for these grants is less than 5 weeks away.

Community and volunteer action grants

The Victorian Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning has called for applications for the following community and volunteer action grants:

  • Funding for projects between $5000 and $50,000.
  • Include the option of single or multi-year projects.
  • Have a broad biodiversity focus.
  • Funding of up to $1 million is available for these grants in 2017.

Community groups and not-for-profit organisations primarily focused on environmental projects such as biodiversity conservation or habitat protection and restoration projects are encouraged to apply. Example groups include:

  • Landcare, Bushcare, Coastcare, Rivercare, Parkcare and Friends of groups and networks.
  • Environmental, naturalist groups or volunteer associations.
  • Urban environment groups.
  • Conservation Management Networks.
  • Public land committees of management.
  • Traditional Owner groups and associations.
  • Not-for-profit conservation organisations.
  • Schools and educational groups.
  • Youth and senior citizens clubs.
  • Local service and recreational groups.

Other types of groups may also be considered if they are proposing to work with volunteers to undertake local conservation projects that support biodiversity or threatened species.

For further information, including a link to the application form, please visit: www.environment.vic.gov.au/communityaction.

Applications must be submitted by midnight on Wednesday 10th May 2017. We encourage Friends and other groups to read the biodiversity strategy and submit an application for funding.