Support Available For Biodiversity Work

Support Available For Biodiversity Work

The Government is providing funding for projects aimed at helping landowners protect and restore native plants and animals on their properties.

The Director-General of the Department of Conservation, Hugh Logan, and Barry Carbon, Chief Executive of the Ministry for the Environment, are encouraging landowners and groups working with landowners to apply for money from the Biodiversity Condition Fund and the Biodiversity Advice Fund.

“These funds recognise the valuable contribution that private landowners and land managers make to conservation,” says Mr Logan.

“We want to encourage that work and we look forward to supporting some exciting projects that will help turn the tide for biodiversity in New Zealand.”

“The funding aims to promote the protection of New Zealand’s indigenous plants and animals on private land and Maori land, outside the public conservation landholdings,” says Barry Carbon.

The Biodiversity Advice Fund focuses on information and advice to land managers. It funds projects which inspire landholders or groups to better protect indigenous species on their land, such as workshops, field-days, and publications.

The Biodiversity Condition Fund aims to improve and maintain the condition of areas of indigenous vegetation, species and habitats. The fund seeks to broaden community effort in the management of indigenous biodiversity. Suitable projects may include fencing or pest control on private land.

Applications can be for a single project, or a package of projects as part of a ‘partnership arrangement’. Potential applicants for a ‘partnership arrangement’ include local authorities, non-government and semi-governmental organisations, iwi, hapu or primary production and industry groups. Applications can also be made for multi-year funding for either a single project or for a package of projects.

A total of $2.3 million is available this financial year - $1.5 million from the Biodiversity Condition Fund and $0.81 million from the Biodiversity Advice Fund. Applications close on 2 May 2003 and results will be announced in June.

Further information, application forms and criteria for projects can be found on www.biodiversity.govt.nz/land/nzbs/land/condition.html or obtained from the Department of Conservation at:

Biodiversity Funds
Department of Conservation
P O Box 10420
WELINGTON
Phone: (04) 471-3296
Fax: (04) 471-3093
Email: biofunds@doc.govt.nz

You can visit the DOC website at: www.doc.govt.nz or the MfE website at: www.mfe.govt.nz

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