Conservation groups, community organisations, traditional owners and councils are encouraged to apply for grants to support their local environment, native animals and plants continued recovery from the Black Summer Bushfires.
The $10 million Bushfire Recovery for Wildlife and Habitat Community Grants Program is part of the Morrison-McCormack Government’s $200 million investment to help Australian native wildlife and their habitats recover.
Minister for the Environment Sussan Ley said regional communities had been profoundly affected by the fires and this grant round was a chance for residents to help their environments recover.
“I have visited communities and have seen first-hand the early results of bushfire recovery work on our native habitats,” she said.
“Recovery is already happening, but it is going to take time and the community has a vital role to play in continuing to make it happen.”
Federal Member for Cowper Pat Conaghan said not-for-profit groups, Local Aboriginal Land Councils and government agencies had already been doing excellent work to help native animals and plants recover from the 2019-20 bushfires.
“Our Government recognises harnessing local knowledge and stewardship, combined with providing financial support, is essential to the recovery of our native flora and fauna,” he said.
“Work is already happening through funding from our Government such as assistance for threatened frogs impacted by bushfires, support for threatened birds and native bats and restoring koala habitat in New South Wales.
“But there is more work to be done to help our environment and animals recover and I encourage all stakeholders to consider applying for a grant before 27 November.”
Grants from $5,000 to $150,000 are available for projects such as, but not limited to, providing supplementary animal shelter, nest boxes and artificial hollows, eradicating or reducing the impact of pest animals and weeds, protecting sensitive habitat and waterways, and seed collection, propagation and revegetation of native plants.
Grant guidelines are available at the Australian Government’s Business website and applications close on 27 November 2020 at 5pm.
Media contacts:
Mrs Ley – Benjamin Flores 0448 463 094
Mr Conaghan – Liz Spry 0418 928 744
