Grants available for environmental projects

Locals wanting to help care for land, air, water, or wildlife are can apply to the Bay of Plenty Regional Council Environmental Enhancement Fund. Photo/File

Locals wanting to help care for land, air, water, or wildlife are can apply to the Bay of Plenty Regional Council Environmental Enhancement Fund of $310,000 according to a statement released today.

Fund co-ordinator Edward Sykes said funding grants were available for a range of activities including native planting, pest and weed control, wetland restoration and sustainability initiatives.

Funding is allocated on a first in, first served basis to eligible projects.

"We offer seed funding to help locals get their great ideas off the ground or to take their existing efforts to the next level. It's great to be able to support some of the hard-working volunteers that are making a real difference to their communities and the environment they love," he said.

The 2016/17 funding round opened last month so interested groups or individuals should get their applications in as soon as possible to avoid missing out this year.

The Environmental Enhancement Fund aims to support community-based environmental projects on publicly accessible land in the Bay of Plenty. The fund is focused on harnessing the enthusiasm and skills of the community to improve the environment and raise environmental awareness.

The fund accepts applications for grants of up to $25,000 per year for up to three years per project.

Mr Sykes said that while there were criteria that applicants had to meet the fund was basically open to all community, iwi, and hapū groups, or any individuals with a good idea and energy to see it through.

One of last year's successful recipients was Maromahue Marae who received funding to eradicate and control weeds along the southern embankment below the Marae.

Maromahue Marae Coordinator Wiki Mooneyt said the funding kicked the project into gear and a lot had been achieved as a result.

"Across two planting days, with local kura Waiōtahe Valley School and Te Kura o Kutarere, we transformed an area covered in dense weeds to natives many of which are rongoa plants and will be utilised for their medical properties. If you have an environmental project in the Bay of Plenty that is in need of a financial boost I strongly urge you to get in touch with the Regional Council and apply" he said.

For more information about the fun and how to apply visit www.boprc.govt.nz/eef or call Eddie Sykes on 0800 884 880.

Additional information:

Since 2001 more than $8 million has been distributed to nearly 550 environmental enhancement projects across the region. Last year's Environmental Enhancement Fund grant recipients included:
Te Wharekura o Mauao to restore a wetland beside their school
Project Litefoot Trust who worked with 20 local community sports clubs to reduce their environmental impact through energy efficiency light-bulbs, hot water cylinders and pipe insulation and water saving devices.
Maromahue Marae who received funding to eradicate and control weeds along the southern embankment.