HELPING VICTORIA’S VOLUNTEERS PROTECT OUR ENVIRONMENT

The Andrews Labor Government has awarded more than $4.4million worth of grants to Victorian youth and volunteer groups to further improve the state’s natural environment.

Member for Macedon, Mary-Anne Thomas today announced the local recipients of the $3.98 million 2023 Victorian Landcare Grants which will help volunteers protect and restore our landscapes.

More than 240 projects across Victoria were allocated grants worth up to $20,000 to further safeguard the state’s biodiversity, while $500grants will be given to 269 environmental volunteer groups to assist with administration and running costs.

The funding will help local projects including:

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Ashbourne Landcare Group: Seed to Trees - Propagation -$3,473.52

Campaspe River and Land Management group: Returning flood disturbed habitat to the Campaspe River in Kyneton - $16,648.00

Campaspe Valley Landcare Group: Protecting Large Old Trees in the Black Hill-Green Hill Bio-link Project - $11,000.00

Upper Campaspe Landcare Network Inc.: What’s at your spot? Exploration and monitoring of Landcare project sites across Upper Campaspe Catchment - $15,000.00

Threatened Species Conservancy: Seeding the future - Black gum waterways - $16,525.00

Friends of Cornish Hill: Smith's Creek Corridor Weed Infestation Control and Maintenance of Existing Plantings/Revegetation - $10,441.00

Malmsbury District Landcare Group: At Home with Biodiversity: Community Engagement and Action from the Wombat Forest to Malmsbury Reservoir - $20,000.00

Newham & District Landcare Group: Cobaw Biolink Enhancement - riparian and roadside, public and private - $19,982.00

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Landcare Support Grants - $500
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Woodend Landcare - Woodend
Greening of Riddell - Riddells Creek

Riddells Creek Landcare - Riddells Creek
Blackwood and Barry's Reef Landcare Group - Blackwood
Bullengarook Landcare Group - Bullengarook
Nulla Vale Pyalong West Landcare Group - Lancefield
Upper Deep Creek Landcare Network - Newham
Deep Creek Landcare - Romsey

The Labor Government is also backing Victoria’s kindergartens, schools and other youth groups – distributing more than $470,000 through the 2023 Victorian Junior Landcare and Biodiversity Grants. These grants will deliver hands-on projects and outdoor educational activities – giving thousands of children across the state the opportunity to learn more about our environment and biodiversity.


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Junior Landcare Grants

Sacred Heart Campaspe River Revegetation - $4,911.00

Newham Primary School Pollinators, Weeds, Carbon Sequestration and Animal Monitoring: Biodiversity Incursion Series - $2,666.27

Macedon Ranges Montessori Preschool Habitat Restoration Project - $2,260.06

Alice Miller School Where the Wildlings Are - A Pine Plantation Removal Project - $4,989.25

Tylden Primary School Wanyarram Dum Frog Ponds Excursion - $2,549.00

Gisborne Montessori School Our Australian Bush Food and Medicinal Plants Growing and Learning Space - $4,996.00

Daylesford Dharma School Community Nature Observation -$4,900.00

Taradale Primary School Habitat Garden - $4,095.00

Gisborne Primary School Nature Trail, Yarning Circle, and Bush Tucker Garden - $1,956.10

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The funding of volunteer groups is underpinned by the Andrews Labor Government’s Biodiversity 2037 strategy, a record investment of $582 million since 2014 – the biggest investment into protecting biodiversity and environment in our state’s history.

A full list of this year’s Landcare and Biodiversity Grant recipients can be found at environment.vic.gov.au/grants

Quotes attributable to Member for Macedon, Mary-Anne Thomas

“This funding is an important way that we’re supporting volunteers and their communities to secure our environment for future generations.”

“Our volunteers are invaluable, and these grants will allow them to continue to make a significant difference at a grassroots level.”“Encouraging children to get involved in projects like these can lead to a lifelong appreciation of nature and community."
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