Helping Hand For Biodiversity Projects In Kaipara

Do you have a project that will improve Kaipara’s natural environment?

Kaipara District Council is calling for applications for grants from its $15,000 Biodiversity Improvement Fund, created to encourage worthwhile environmental initiatives.

Individuals, groups, community and conservation organisations, Maori groups or schools are all eligible.

Projects must benefit Kaipara’s native biodiversity and in judging them the Council will also take into account the degree of community benefit and extent of other contributions, including voluntary labour.

“We want to encourage people to get their projects started,” says Community Spaces Manager Stephen Soole. “It doesn’t matter how big or small they are; it’s all about improving Kaipara’s natural biodiversity, regardless of scale.”

Grants are made on the basis of reimbursing costs and are for a maximum of 50 per cent of a project.

The Biodiversity Improvement Fund is in its fourth year and in 2007 nine applicants shared the $15,000. Projects included fencing native bush and wetlands, predator control, planting native trees, controlling magpies and feral cats, reinstating lowland kahikatea bush, planting lake and harbour margins and fertilising dune plantings.

Applications close on Wednesday 12 March 2008.

Guidelines and application forms are available from Council’s offices or website www.kaipara.govt.nz .