MEDIA RELEASE

Regional council announces extra funding to help Bay’s environment

For immediate release: Wednesday 7 November 2007

Groups across the region have been given a boost in their efforts to help the Bay’s environment, with the announcement of the recipients of this year’s Environmental Enhancement Fund grants by the regional council.

Environment Bay of Plenty has granted a total of $478,000 to 32 groups, with still more funding available.

Kathryn Howard, Community Engagement Officer, says a change to the way some grants are decided means groups and organisations can now apply throughout the year to the fund.

“We’ve taken on board some suggestions that previous applicants have given us and now, if your project requires less than $5000 funding, you can apply at any time of the year. We’ve allocated $30,000 to this fund, so if you think your project fits our criteria, visit our website or contact us to find out more.”

She says the change to allow community groups to access small amounts of funding year-round will be fantastic for people working hard to improve their environment.

“We think this will encourage more people who just want to get on and get things done in their local community.” 

Groups requesting funding greater than $5,000 will still have to apply for funding during the annual funding round in the middle of the year.

The application forms and assessment criteria are available on Environment Bay of Plenty’s website at www.envbop.govt.nz

This year’s recipients

Since 2001, the Environmental Enhancement Fund has allocated around $6 million to community groups, schools and organisations in the Bay of Plenty undertaking environmental work in their community.

Fifty-one applications totalling just over $1.3 million were received during this year’s funding round. This made funding decisions difficult and all applications had to be carefully checked and assessed. Projects received points for environmental enhancement, community participation and educational benefits and other features of the projects.

Ms Howard says the Environmental Enhancement Fund is a terrific support for people who are working to improve the environment and people’s knowledge about it.

“We’re pleased that we can support our community in this way. We wish them well with their projects.”

This year’s EEF recipients are:

·       National Kiwi Trust: to increase the number of Kiwi hatched and released into the Bay of Plenty, $30,000

·       Manawahe Eco Trust: tocontrol stoats in an area of Manawahe where kokako and kereru are present, $11,064      

·       Opihi Urupa Trustees: to protect the Opihi Urupa with fencing, planting and signage, $14,533

·       Fish and Game Eastern Region and DOC:to create an additional 2 hectares of open water and widen existing channel within the Kaituna Wildlife Management Reserve, $54,074

·       Waitangi3Restoration Plan:to restore the Waitangi Soda Springs,$5,000

·       REAF Ltd:to introduce the concept of seabed enhancement at Opotiki Reef, $49,311

·       Ngaiterangi Iwi Inc Society:to stop erosion around an ancient tribal urupa on low-lying marshland between Opureora Marae and Rangiwaea Oponui area on Matakana Island, $7,960

·       Ihukatia Trust: to enhance Ihukatia Trust Private Maori Reserve and provide public walking access at Ohiwa Harbour, $8,800

·       Rerewhakaaitu Residents Restoration Group: to restore the Awaroa Stream, $39,158       

·       Ngamuwahine Care Group: to restore Ngamuwahine Rd end, $19,718

·       Tauranga City Council: to deliver the "great drain game”, an environmental education programme to schools in Tauranga, $20,800

·       Mt Ngongotaha Bush Restoration Trust: to protect and restore the natural forest ecosystems of Mt Ngongotaha through rat and possum control, $6,502     

·       Tauranga Rotary Centennial Trust: to restore the  Kopurererua Valley to its natural state through extensive planting, $17,955

·       Opotiki District Council: to implement plant pest control measures on selected margins of the Ohiwa Harbour,$11,250

·       Sanctuary Bird Park Trust: to create a native bird sanctuary, $20,027

·       The Tauranga Environment Centre: to continue to grow the Urban Greenspace Project, $19,800     

·       Whenua.biz Charitable Trust in partnership with Whangamarino School: to plant a native garden (using medicinal plants/rongoa) on the Whangamarino School grounds, $1,900

·       Environment and Gardens Ruatahuna Limited: to clear pest plants and stock from 200 metres of the Wairere Stream and re-establish in native trees, $25,519

·       Te Kura o Te Teko: to restore land between Te Teko school and the Rangitaiki River with a track and plantings, $16,750 

·       Katikati Open-Air Art: to install bird signage along the Yeoman Walkway beside the Uretara Streamin Katikati, $2,880  

·       Friends of Puketoki: to establish the  level of  insect and invertebrate food resources for native birds in the Puketoki Reserve  by community based monitoring, $4,255

·       E Tipu E Rea Trust: to revegetate the Mangatawa Stream, $4,638

·       Kawerau South School: to enhance habitat for Dwarf Mistletoe in Monika Lanham Reserve, $7,000  

·       Tauranga Sub Aqua Club: to undertake fourclean up dives in the Tauranga Harbour, $2,689       

·       Mount Tutu Sanctuary Trust: to control weeds in Mount Tutu Eco-Sanctuary, $1,425       

·       Katikati Haiku Pathway Focus Committee: to design, create and install outdoor information panels on the Katikati Haiku Pathway, $1,924 

·       Kawerau Intermediate School: to replant an area of Monika Lanham Reserve adjoining the school in natives following exotic plant removal, $9,600

·       Bethlehem Foundation: to construct a boardwalk around the lake at Bethlehem College as the second stage of the restoration of the conservation area at the college, $11,340

·       Lake Rotoiti Classic and Wooden Boat AssociationIncorporated: to erect fourEco-Toilets at  Lake Rotoiti, $45,000     

·       Te Puna Quarry Park Society Inc: to create a butterfly garden in Te Puna Quarry Park, $2,617   

·       Te Wharekura o Huiarau: to clean up (weed control), plant and fence off stream running behind TeWharekura o Huiarau School, Ruatahuna, $2,831

·       Taneatua School Board of Trustees: to revegetate Otarahioi Reserve, $1,904

       
ends

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