http://www.fnpw.org.au/Funding/SmallGrantsProgram.htm
Landholders with conservation covenants can receive financial assistance to manage biodiversity conservation activities on their properties through the Private Land Conservation Grants Program.
The program can fund projects up to $3,000 to enhance privately owned conservation properties across NSW. These properties help improve and increase the amount of permanently protected conservation land.
How many grants are available each year and when? In 2011 $100,000 is available with grants ranging from $500–$3000. There is one funding round per year. • Closing date for applications is 30 June 2011. • Successful applicants will be announced on 31 July 2011. • Only one application per year per property is allowed. • Applications will be accepted for multi-year funding up to $3,000 per year for 3 years. • Funded projects must be completed before further applications can be made. What can the funding be used for? Activities that maintain, improve, repair or enhance conservation outcomes such as; • Weed and pest control and eradication • Habitat maintenance and restoration • Tools, equipment and materials • Educational activities – field days, school study tours, landholder training • Flora, fauna or associated indigenous heritage surveys and monitoring • Removal and replacement of fencing that is hazardous to wildlife • Nest boxes (current research on management of nest boxes to be sent to successful applicants) When does the project have to start and finish? • Grants must be spent or committed within twelve months of receiving funding. • Multi-year funding will be paid annually. This program is a conservation partnership initiative of: • Office of Environment and Heritage NSW • Diversicon Environmental Foundation • Foundation for National Parks & Wildlife • Nature Conservation Trust of NSW • Paddy Pallin Foundation • Wildlife Land Trust If successful, what am I expected to do? • Spend funds on the project as outlined in the approved application. • Notify of any changes to your project or time frame. • Provide a final report on outcomes within two months of the proposed completion date • Permit funding bodies, subject to approval, to use photos and reports in publications. • Allow/welcome representatives of the grantgiving organisations to visit your project at a mutually arranged time. • Grants do not negate the landholders’ responsibility to comply with the Threatened Species Act - assessments should be carried out before works are undertaken in threatened species habitat. • Nestboxes must be well-designed and maintained. Application Assessment Criteria 1. Improvement in quality of the environment. 2. Conservation of threatened native species, populations or ecological communities. 3. Consistency with conservation agreement, management scheme and priority actions. 4. Need, merit, practicality, timeliness and sustainability. 5. Technically sound project plan. What activities are ineligible? • Capital improvements. • Works covered by insurance or other sources of funding including other grants. • Completed works. • Political lobbying and advocacy. • Legal expenses, rates and taxes. • Surveys - OEH or NCT will seek to assist landholders with flora, fauna and cultural heritage surveys where possible. • Purchase of movement cameras - OEH or NCT can loan units to landholders. • Compensation to landholders for their own labour. • Solar energisers. • Plantings should be a ‘last resort’ depending on natural recruitment. What if I don’t have a conservation covenant on my property? For information on conservation agreements: Conservation Partners Program Office of Environment and Heritage NSW P: (02) 9995 6768 E: conservation.partners@environment.nsw.gov.au W: www.environment.nsw.gov.au/cpp/Conservationpartners.htm Nature Conservation Trust of NSW P: (02) 6365 7543 E: info@naturetrust.org.au W: www.naturetrust.org.au Only owners of covenanted conservation properties can apply for funding under this program.
