Local Landcare groups get the grants

Local Landcare groups have received a share of the more than $4.4 million worth of grants announced by the government last week.

The grants for youth and volunteer groups aim to further improve the state’s natural environment. 

Jordan Crugnale, the Member for Bass commended the seven local recipients of the 2023 Victorian Landcare Grants which will help volunteers protect and restore landscapes in their respective communities.

“This funding is a fabulous way to support our amazingly committed volunteers who are out restoring, revegetating, protecting and enhancing habitat in our natural environment,” said Ms Crugnale.

“Thank you for all that you do – you make such a positive long-lasting difference. 

“I love how children are actively immersed in all things nature, learning more about their surrounds, sustainability and how First Nations people cared for country.”

Successful local recipients include:

• Phillip Island Landcare Group: Community Revegetation – connecting and restoring remnant vegetation across the Island.
• Bass Coast Landcare Group: Through Westernport Catchment Kids to detecting, restoring, and protecting the catchment.
• Bass Valley Landcare Group: Protecting and Restoring Bass Valley's Biodiversity: A Community-Led Initiative.
• Powlett River Landcare Group: Restoring the Powlett Catchment: Community-led revegetation for waterway health and biodiversity.
• Three Creeks Landcare Group: Three Creeks Community-Led Ecological Restoration Project.
• Anderson Inlet Landcare Group: Restoring Biodiversity: Protecting and Enhancing Threatened Species Habitat in Anderson Inlet.
• Kongwak Landcare Group: Revitalizing Kongwak Hills: A Collaborative Land Management and Conservation Program.

A total of 269 environmental volunteer groups have received $500 grants to assist with administration and running costs and include Western Port Catchment Landcare Network, Friends of Woodford Reserve Inc and Westernport Swamp Landcare.

The government also distributed more than $470,000 through the 2023 Victorian Junior Landcare and Biodiversity Grants.

Ms Crugnale said these grants will deliver hands-on projects and outdoor educational activities – giving thousands of children across the state the opportunity to learn more about our environment and biodiversity.

The successful local schools are:

• Cowes Primary School ($4650) to develop students as stewards of their school sanctuary and involving them in the restoration and care of their sanctuary, planting native plants, removing invasive species, and creating habitats for local wildlife.
• Wonthaggi Primary School ($3843) to build an indigenous pollinator garden and make connections with learning relevant to the Science program; and to further develop understandings of how First Nations Peoples cared for living things and the environment to ensure survival and sustainability on Bunurong Country.

A full list of this year’s Landcare and Biodiversity Grant recipients can be found at environment.vic.gov.au/grants.