.jpg)
Community organisations with a passion for the environment are being encouraged to pitch their best projects to help Queensland's national parks and forest flourish, and secure funding to make it a reality.
Off the back of the Palaszczuk Government's announcement that it would deliver the state's largest conservation acquisition in a decade, Environment Minister Meaghan Scanlon said $700,000 was now on offer for community-led conservation projects in state-owned greenspaces.
"Park rangers and volunteers are right now coordinating a huge flood clean-up at more than 40 national parks across the state," Minister Scanlon said.
"Once that is done, there will be a bigger task ahead to rehabilitate many of those areas to create thriving spaces for native wildlife and that people can explore.
"From habitat protection, flora and fauna surveys, and monitoring and mapping to visitor education programs, track monitoring and maintenance – we want your best projects to help our environment and get our national parks back up and running again.
It's part of the Palaszczuk Government's successful Community Sustainability Action Grants, which was launched in 2016, investing more than $18 million over six years for various environmental initiatives.
"We've had COVID. We've had floods. And this funding will help to deliver our plan for economic recovery.
"We know that on top of the environmental value they deliver, national parks inject more than $2.6 billion into our economy.
"That's why we're investing a record $1.4 billion to protect the environment and create jobs, securing new conservation areas like the 131,900 hectare Bramwell and Richardson stations – and now working with community groups to make sure they can flourish.
Minister Scanlon said under the latest round of the program community groups, charities, not for profit organisations, Natural Resource Management bodies and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporations could apply for grants of up to $20,000.
"Applicants are particularly encouraged to consult with, and consider partnering with, the Traditional Custodians of the Country on which their project is proposed to occur," Minister Scanlon said.
All applications can be made until April 19 and must be submitted using the department's online grants administration program.
