Be Natural and Landcare Australia support 28 community groups

A total of $125,000 of funding has been awarded to 28 local environmental volunteer groups across Australia as part of the Be Natural Landcare grants program.

The projects funded through this new initiative are diverse in nature and location and are supported by almost $250,000 worth of in-kind support which has been secured by the groups themselves.

A revegetation project on Queensland’s Gold Coast undertaken by BeachCare and the erection of a walking track by Cremorne Coastcare group to protect a coastal area in Tasmania, are two of the projects that have been awarded funding. Other projects include the building of shelters for possums and gliders in Victoria by Pentland Hills Landcare and the revegetation of disturbed land by the Hunter Wetlands Centre in New South Wales.

Launched earlier this year by Landcare ambassador, Beau Walker, the Be Natural Landcare grants program was established to help local environmental community groups continue with on-going projects which had not received funding in the last twelve months. Through the initiative, Be Natural is also encouraging groups to find innovative new ways of attracting more volunteers to their groups and projects and connecting with their communities.

Nik Scotcher, Marketing Manager, Be Natural, is confident that the grants program will have a great impact on local environmental issues and will provide the financial support that many community groups badly need.

“By partnering with Landcare Australia, we recognised that we could make a real difference at a local level through supporting the amazing work that Landcare groups do. We believe that through this grants program our aim of taking small steps towards making a positive and ongoing contribution to our natural landscape and environment will be realised,” he commented.

CEO of Landcare Australia, Heather Campbell, welcomes the nature of the funding from Be Natural as it helps groups continue with vital projects that have not recently been funded.

“The Be Natural Landcare grants program is a fantastic initiative for all types of community environmental groups who struggle at times to secure funding for ongoing projects. I am confident that these grants will not only help the groups deal with important local environmental issues, but will also help them connect with and educate their wider communities about the invaluable work they are doing,” she said.

Landcare Australia has been in partnership with Be Natural Cereals and Snacks since 2010 and earlier this year launched this grants program by bringing native Australia bushland to the city through the recreation of an area of native vegetation in Sydney’s Martin Place. This activity raised the profile of the Landcare movement in an urban environment while highlighting the work that is taking place in everyone’s backyard all year round by local volunteers.

Be Natural Landcare Grants recipients