The McGowan Government has made $8 million available under the latest State Natural Resource Management (NRM) funding round for community groups across the State who preserve and restore Western Australia's natural resources.
The 2021 Community Stewardship Grants, totalling $7 million, are now open for projects which help conserve a local natural area, protect WA's biodiversity, promote regenerative agricultural practices and support the capability of NRM community groups across the State.
Small grants, between $1,000 and $35,000, and large grants, between $35,001 and $450,000, are available to community and NRM groups, schools, local government authorities, Community Resource Centres, recognised biosecurity groups and Aboriginal community organisations.
A new Community Collaboration Grants category, totalling $1 million, is now available to support collaborative projects targeting regenerative agriculture, conservation of biodiversity, biosecurity and invasive species management, and management plan development for more effective implementation of future works.
Projects must be co-sponsored by three or more natural resource management groups, with grants of up to $500,000 available.
Applications for Community Stewardship Grants close on May 17, 2021. Expressions of interest for Community Collaboration Grants close on April 5, 2021. For more information, visit http://www.nrm.wa.gov.au
As stated by Agriculture and Food Minister Alannah MacTiernan:
"State Natural Resource Management funds support the community-based groups and volunteers across WA who contribute their time and energy, passion, and local knowledge to conserving our flora and fauna, rehabilitating local landscapes and promoting sustainable agricultural practice.
"Last year, 96 community projects from the Kimberley to the south coast received funding support: a combined effort across city and country saw thousands of hectares of revegetation planted.
"Regenerative agricultural projects will help the long term recovery of our soils, while Aboriginal groups have been funded for Caring for Country with many projects combining traditional and western methods to improve the landscape.
"This new category recognises the valuable work groups contribute individually while giving them the opportunity to work together to tackle larger, cross regional issues that require collaboration."
As stated by Environment Minister Stephen Dawson:
"Community groups are instrumental in protecting and enhancing the values of our natural resources, and this funding will go a long way to ensuring local areas are preserved and WA's biodiversity is protected.
"WA's natural environment can be protected and enhanced by utilising the local knowledge and enthusiasm of community-based groups to achieve targeted and meaningful on-ground action.
"The great work to be carried out through these grants will continue to improve outcomes for threatened species."
As stated by Water Minister Dave Kelly:
"Community groups play a vital role in preserving our unique coastlines, wetlands and rivers.
"Many of the revegetation works will have a direct impact on water quality and aquatic habitats for the abundant life that relies on a healthy environment.
"It's great to see such proactive projects like the Nature Conservancy's Shellfish reef restoration in the Peel-Harvey Estuary. This project looks to improve the declining health of the Peel-Harvey Estuary by building shellfish reefs to restore water quality, fisheries and biodiversity, while increasing community capacity to better manage this asset into the future."
