Working for Nature/Mahi mō te Taiao funding awarded
Te Hoiere Bat Recovery Project received funding in 2022/2023.
Now in its third year, the Working for Nature/Mahi mō te Taiao fund has recently awarded $110,000 in environment grants to 21 projects across Marlborough to protect and restore native habitats. Applications for the next round of funding open next month, via the Council website.
In August 2022, the Council received 38 applications from community groups and landowners to undertake projects from wetland restoration to pest control. Five projects were awarded full funding with the other 16 projects partially funded. Overall, more than $342,000 was requested, far exceeding the available funds.
The fund was created in September 2019 to build on the success of the Tui to Town and Greening Marlborough programmes, with an expanded scheme. The grants give a boost by kickstarting community-led projects focussed on native biodiversity.
Environmental Science and Monitoring Manager Alan Johnson said requests for funding had grown each year since the scheme began.
“While we were unable to fund all applicants, it demonstrates that community interest to enhance and protect native biodiversity in growing,” he said.
Grants were awarded under two categories: Habitat Marlborough and Protecting Marlborough. Habitat Marlborough projects will restore native habitats, improving biodiversity and freshwater quality. The Protecting Marlborough category is to control animal and plant pests that threaten native wildlife and habitats.
Marlborough has been identified as one of five centres of biodiversity in New Zealand, due to its concentration of native species, some found only in our district.
