A native butterfly threatened with extinction is winging it back to the City of Logan thanks to an EnviroGrants initiative.
Wildlife Queensland's 'Adopt your vine and mine' program engaged the local community to foster growth of Richmond Birdwing butterfly numbers.
The initiative supports community members to plant and maintain the butterfly's host vine on both their own property and adjacent Council-owned bushland.
The project was one of 37 initiatives funded in Council's EnviroGrants program last year.
Environmentally-minded community members now have their chance to get involved with projects of their own, with applications for the 2023 EnviroGrants program open.
Environment Chair, Councillor Jon Raven encouraged the community to get involved.
"The Richmond Birdwing butterfly project is a great example of an innovative program that Council has been able to support with EnviroGrants," Cr Raven said.
"The EnviroGrants program empowers passionate locals and organisations to enhance and protect our native plants and wildlife for future generations."
Wildlife Queensland Project Officer, Hannah Thomas said the program was crucial to the success of their project.
"The EnviroGrants funding gave us certainty that we would be able to deliver the project successfully and secure all the necessary equipment to ensure the vines had the best chance of survival at Cornubia Forest Park," Hannah said.
"Once these vines have grown, they will provide sufficient biomass for Richmond Birdwing caterpillars to feed, grow and pupate into a butterfly, allowing natural establishment and the re-colonisation of the Richmond Birdwing butterfly.
"With continued effort to plant and maintain vines in the City of Logan, we can eventually aim to have a sustainable population of this threatened species here."
EnviroGrants offer up to $10,000 to recipients, with a range of grants available:
- Environmental partnerships and capacity building
- On-ground ecosystem restoration
- Environmental surveys and research
- Environmental education
- Individual wildlife carer support
The 2023 round will prioritise projects that address the environmental focus areas of waterways, threatened species and education.
Schools and educators, business operators, environmental groups, youth groups, researchers, wildlife carers and local landholders are all invited to apply.
