The State Government has boosted funding for community-driven environmental projects to protect and restore Victoria’s precious natural environment into the future.
On Wednesday 20 March, Environment Minister Steve Dimopoulos announced that environmental volunteer groups can access $3.55 million in grant funding through the 2024 Victorian Landcare Grants program – supporting more projects that protect and restore the state’s iconic natural assets.
These grants are open to environmental volunteer groups and networks, including Landcare groups and networks, Friends groups, Conservation Management Networks, Committees of Management, Coastcare groups and Aboriginal groups.
Project grants of up to $20,000 are available for on-ground works and community-based projects focused on preserving native vegetation and wildlife, waterways, wetlands, soils, and other natural habitats and ecosystems.
Support Grants of up to $500 is available to assist with costs such as insurance, incorporation and operational expenses, or events, community engagement, websites, and other communications.
Environment Minister Steve Dimopoulos said the funding is a great indication for a healthier future.
“We’re proud to support volunteers who work tirelessly to ensure our precious biodiversity can be protected and preserved for future generations,” he said.
“These grants play such an important role in enabling more community-driven environmental initiatives that help protect Victoria’s landscapes, rivers, parks, forests, coasts, and the native wildlife that call our beautiful natural environment home.”
In 2023, these grants funded more than 240 projects – from planting pollinator corridors for bees in the Mount Alexander region to restoring rainforest in the Yarra Ranges – helping to strengthen protections through vital on-ground natural environment improvement works and community-based education and engagement initiatives.
Since 2000, the Victorian Landcare Grants have invested $79 million in communities to support conservation efforts and empower Victorians to protect and restore the state’s irreplaceable landscapes, rivers, coasts, native flora and fauna.
The grants will help achieve targets set in protecting Victoria’s environment Biodiversity 2037, the State Government’s 20-year plan to protect the environment and native species.
Applications for the Victorian Landcare Grants will close at 5pm April 30.
For more information and to apply, visit DEECA’s website at environment.vic.gov.au/grants/victorian-landcare-grants
