‘Bush for Birds’ environmental grants now open
Trust for Nature (TFN) and North East Catchment Management Authority (CMA) have announced the release of grant funding for eligible landholders to increase and enhance habitat for the region’s most endangered birds, the Regent Honeyeater and Swift Parrot.
Will Ford, TFN’s North East Region Manager said funding was available for a range of conservation and land management activities including fencing, revegetation, weed control and ecological thinning.
“More than 60 per cent of Victoria is private land, so landholders have an important role to play in maintaining healthy ecosystems. Preserving large old trees, planting and actively managing regrowth help to provide the reliable food resources these birds need to survive in the long term.”
“By getting involved with the Bush for Birds project, landholders can make a real difference to threatened species conservation in their own backyard.”
Mark Cairns, Senior Project Officer with North East CMA encouraged landholders to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) to participate in the project via the North East CMA website.
“We are looking forward to working closely with landholders to develop options that will contribute to measurable change. Our staff will help guide and inform interested landholders through the application process.”
Habitat loss and degradation have been identified as among the most significant factors contributing to threatened species decline in North East Victoria. It is estimated that fewer than 400 Regent Honeyeaters and 2,000 Swift Parrots exist in the wild.
Bush for Birds is funded by the Australian Government’s National Landcare Program, and is delivered by TFN and North East CMA in partnership with the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning and Parks Victoria.
Applicants are invited to contact Will Ford on willf@tfn.org.au or 0418 300 959 or Mark Cairns on mark.cairns@necma.vic.gov.au or 0418 764 606, or submit an EOI directly via the North East CMA website.
ENDS-
Media contacts
Kathy Cogo, Media and Communications Manager, Trust for Nature, 0466 015 183, kathyc@tfn.org.au.