24 September 2008
Green light for Community Conservation Fund
Green Party Conservation Spokesperson Metiria Turei, with the Minister of Conservation Steve Chadwick, today launched
the new Community Conservation fund, which provides $4 million dollars over the next two years for projects on public
land.
The contestable funds secured by the Green Party in this year's budget will benefit community restoration projects that
protect indigenous biodiversity on public land, including Maori reserves, Council and Crown lands.
"The Green Party recognises that community groups are doing vital restoration work on public land like dune-lands and
urban waterways. These groups often need financial support for expert assistance, seedlings, tools and fencing, but
often have difficulty accessing money for equipment or expertise," Mrs Turei says.
"The $4 million secured for the Community Conservation Fund will go to groups working in areas like native dune
restoration. It's a little known fact that our native dune lands are a severely impacted ecosystem, on a par with native
wetlands.
"Dune restoration can also serve as one of our primary defences against rising sea levels due to climate change. Studies
show how natural dune ecosystems combat sand erosion and build the profile of the beach faster than the seal level rise
predicted by the United Nations' Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.
"This fund will also be available to fund projects on Maori reserve land that enhance biodiversity around marae,
recreation grounds, waterways and reserves.
"In a time of increasing concern for food affordability, freshwater biodiversity restoration projects can help the
ecosystems in which freshwater kaimoana like whitebait and eels also depend.
"These small and under-resourced projects are vital, especially as the natural environment comes under increasing
pressures from industry, climate change and urbanisation. But equally because they engage and educate the community on
the value and enjoyment of conservation activities.
"The Green Party is proud to be a voice for flax-root conservationists in Parliament, proud of our budget achievement
that has created this fund, and grateful for the support of the Minister and the Government."
ENDS