FNPW is allocating $300,000 for Private Land Conservation Grants for the 10th year in a row

The Foundation for National Parks & Wildlife (FNPW) has allocated almost $2 million in Private Land Conservation Grants (PLCG) over the last ten years. This includes $300,000 being allocated this year to successful recipients of the grant’s program. With 80% of rainforests gone and the remainder fast disappearing, along with many threatened native wildlife, it is more important than ever to make a change. It is recognised that Australia’s biodiversity cannot be conserved purely through National Parks and other areas within the public reserve system. For this reason, conservation efforts on private land need to be encouraged and promoted.

 

The FNPW has been running the PLCG program since 2008, with the valuable support of their project partners. Through the PLCG Program, FNPW have been providing small grants to support NSW landowners who have a conservation protection mechanism on their land and for education and training in conservation. FNPW created the PLCG program to increase the amount of high value conservation areas on private land and to educate and encourage community members to actively participate in bush regeneration.

 

The PLCG program supports landholders to conduct activities which enhance the biodiversity conservation value of their registered properties. The grants applications have launched and will be open for applicants until Friday 17 March 2017.

 

There are three categories of grants available. The categories are:

 

·         Category 1: Funds of up to $5,000 per annum for three years

·         Category 2: Funds of up to $2,000 per annum for three years

·         Category 3a: Funds of up to $2,000 per annum for three years for training or education proposal

·         Category 3b: Funds of up to $1,500 per annum for three years

 

Each of the grants are only available to those who have a conservation protection mechanism on their land.

 

The projects supported by the PLCG Program can be used to:

 

·         Maintain or improve conservation value of land and the local flora and fauna

·         Protect and prevent degradation of habitat

·         Increase and improve habitat connectivity

·         Provide landholder training in conservation

 

With the majority of NSW land under private ownership, this conservation program is an important complement to the public National Park system. Private conservation land connects habitats across the state by creating wildlife corridors between National Parks, improving their resilience and integrity. The provision of financial support for private land conservation activities encourages landholders to increase their commitment to protect the conservation values of their land and raise awareness as well as educating the public about conserving Australia’s natural habitat.

 

“The PLCG made a huge difference to our property. We had a problem with 3 weeds that were spreading over sections of our property. Some were harmful to animals. Thanks to the PLCG, the amount of weed that was controlled over the three year period was tremendous. Impact has not only been on weeds but also on feral animal numbers as rabbit, foxes and pigs have been exposed and more susceptible to controls. The grant funding meant that I can now manage what we have more effectively and I'm pleased to see the high quality of the bushland continue to improve,” says Katherine, a PLCG recipient.

 

“The PLCG is such a rewarding program that really enables Australians to help in conserving the future of our environment. To date, the program has provided many NSW private landholders grants to undertake conservation works on their own properties and we believe it will only increase. Ultimately the PLCG is about educating and encouraging the protection and growth of our natural habitat,” says CEO of FNPW, Ian Darbyshire.

 

Since the inception of PLCG, the FNPW has raised and allocated almost $2 million to Australian land owners. There have been 381 grants awarded and this has resulted in more than 10 million square metres of improved conservation land.

 

Important Dates 2017:

Grants Applications Open: Monday 13 February 2017

Grant Applications Close: Friday 17 March 2017

Grants Announced: Friday 2 June 2017

For more information visit, http://www.fnpw.org.au/grants/nsw-private-land-conservation-grants

 

 

Steps on how to apply:

 

1. You need to have a conservation protection mechanism on your land. This can be either a:

·         Conservation Agreement with the Office of Environment and Heritage

·         Trust Agreement with the Nature Conservation Trust

·         Registered Property Agreement

·         Wildlife Refuge

·         Conservation Property Vegetation Plan

·         Wildlife Land Trust or Land for Wildlife Member

·         Land for Wildlife Regional Providers

·         Trainers/educators

2. Depending on which conservation protection mechanism you have depends on which grant you can apply for. See information on categories below.

3. Apply for the grant on the link attached http://www.fnpw.org.au/grants/nsw-private-land-conservation-grants before 17^th March 2017

 

 

Categories:

 

You may be eligible for a $5,000 a year grant if your property has a:

·       Conservation Agreement

·       Trust Agreement

In-perpetuity Registered Property Agreement

You may be eligible for a $2,000 a year grant if your property has a:

·       Wildlife Refuge

·       Conservation Property Vegetation Plan

·       Registered Property Agreement (term)

 

If you are a member of Land for Wildlife or Wildlife Land Trust, you may also be eligible for a grant.

You can apply on behalf of your landholder group for up to $2,000 a year to organise and run a conservation training event.