The Victorian Government is helping volunteer groups and networks protect and restore our precious environment.

Minister for Environment Steve Dimopoulos has announced the opening of the 2024 Victorian Landcare Grants, with $3.55 million available to support volunteers in caring for the state’s landscapes and biodiversity. Applications will close on 30 April 2024.

The 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 education projects focused on enhancing the natural environment, including native vegetation and wildlife, waterways and soils.

Support Grants of up to $500 are available to assist with administrative and operational expenses of groups and networks.

Last year, the Victorian Landcare Grants provided $367,250 to fund 25 on-ground projects and educational activities within north east Victoria. The projects included creating supplementary habitat for native fauna at Burgoigee Creek; a traditional burning engagement and revegetation/remnant protection program at Honey Suckle – Spring Creek in Towong Shire; protecting native forest nectar resources for wildlife with dedicated European Honey Bee plantations at Rutherglen; and stopping the spread of the worst urban garden escapees at Wodonga.

Support grants of $500 were allocated to 16 environmental volunteer groups in the North East CMA region to assist with administration and running costs.

Since 2000, the Victorian Landcare Grants have invested $77 million in communities to support conservation efforts and empower Victorians to help protect the state’s landscapes, waterways and wildlife.

The grants will help achieve targets set in Protecting Victoria’s Environment – Biodiversity 2037, the Victorian Government’s 20-year plan to protect our environment and native species.

North East CMA Chief Executive Officer, Katie Warner, said the Victorian Landcare Grants aimed to fund projects that addressed local, regional and state land and environment priorities.

Ms Warner said they also aimed to sustain Landcare and other environmental volunteer groups and networks by providing support grants, particularly for those groups whose continuing existence would benefit from this support.

“We continue to work closely with the Landcare groups and networks within our region to help them to meet land and environment goals that are developed within our communities,” she said.

For more information and to apply for the 2024 grants before the 30 April 2024 closing date, go to the North East CMA website at https://www.necma.vic.gov.au/Solutions/Grants-Incentives/VLG

Pic 1 – The Victorian Landcare Grants aim to sustain Landcare and other environmental volunteer groups and networks by providing support funding. Picture: Mary Titcumb, Ovens Landcare Network