The 2017/18 Community Landcare Pop-up Grants are now open! This program aims to support Landcare and community groups in the Riverina Local Land Services area to promote community-driven natural resource management. 

Preference will be given to projects that:

• Promote membership and attract volunteers to Landcare/NRM community groups
• Improve the capacity and skills of members of the Landcare/NRM community to manage the natural environment.

What funding is available?

Groups are invited to apply for a grant of $2,000 to $10,000 (GST exclusive) to undertake projects and activities that encourage the involvement of community groups in understanding, protecting and enhancing the natural environment.

A total of $25,000, on a competitive basis, is available annually.

Who can apply?

Landcare ‘Pop-up’ Grants are open to:

• Landcare groups
• Farmer/producer groups
• ‘Friends-of’ groups
• Indigenous groups
• Other community groups 
• Schools, provided that their project deals with on-ground works to improve NRM in natural landscapes, and promotes environmental understanding.

What can be funded?

Funding will be provided for on-ground works for revegetation and habitat provision, and projects that enhance community awareness of biodiversity, build group capacity or use Indigenous knowledge for environmental conservation.

Funding will not cover labour or contractor costs, ongoing maintenance, retrospective activities, travel and accommodation, purchase of farming equipment, activities that would introduce environmental weeds or pests, or activities where the primary benefit would be for agricultural production purposes.

How do I apply?

Applications can be submitted at any time between 29 May 2017 and 30 April 2018, and will be assessed within three weeks of receipt. Applications will continue to be accepted until all available funding has been expended.  

The guidelines and application form are attached.

Before submitting an application groups are strongly recommended to contact their Local Landcare Coordinator to discuss their proposal:

• Mid-Murrumbidgee region - Maddy Gorham: mgorham@mli.org.au [1], or 0429 458  717 
• Irrigation areas & surrounding districts - Jason Richardson: jrichardson@mli.org.au [2], or 0428 396 826
• Hay & Rangelands - Annabel Lugsdin: alugsdin@mli.org.au [3], or 0428 549 647
• Temora/Bland - Megan Harris: blandtemora@lachlandcare.org.au [4], or 0499 199 076
• Young & Grenfell - Mikla Lewis: young@lachlandcare.org.au [5], or 0499 199 016

The Landcare ‘Pop-up’ Grants are funded by an allocation from the Australian Government’s National Landcare Programme (NLP) to Riverina Local Land Services for the Regional Landcare Facilitator Project.  In the Riverina, the RLF project and the ‘Pop-up’ Grants are administered by Murrumbidgee Landcare Inc. (MLi) and LachLandcare (LLi) under contract to Riverina Local Land Services.

When can I apply?

Applications can be submitted at any time between 29 May 2017 and 30 April 2018, and will be assessed within three weeks of receipt. Applications will continue to be accepted until all available funding has been expended.