Landcare Australia, in partnership with AusNet, is proud to announce the recipients of the 2024 AusNet Community Landcare Grants.
The Phillip Island Landcare Group and the Gecko Clan Landcare Network, both based in Victoria, have been awarded $20,000 annual funding for the next three years.
The Phillip Island Landcare Group has received funding to protect, promote, and provide opportunities for community revegetation. In partnership with Bass Coast Shire Council, the group will enhance endangered vegetation in the new public Phillip Island recreation reserve in Cowes. This long-term ecological improvement will benefit local habitats and native fauna. An outcome of this project is to protect and enhance 3.9 hectares of indigenous remnant vegetation and engage new and existing volunteers, as well as the wider community, in their programs.
The Gecko Clan Landcare Network is committed to connecting landscapes and communities in the Strathbogie Shire areas. Recently, this area has been affected by severe weather events and storms that have resulted in significant habitat loss and damage to large old hollow-bearing trees which usually provide homes for native species.
To address this, the Gecko Clan Landcare Network will coordinate the supply of 6,000 locally indigenous plants, 200 paddock tree guards, and 100 nest boxes to local landcare groups. This initiative will protect and enhance an additional 12 hectares of land and support the community with their landcare work.
Landcare Australia CEO Dr. Shane Norrish congratulated the grant recipients and emphasised the importance of innovation and collaboration.
“We are extremely pleased to partner with AusNet, sharing a commitment to environmental sustainability and community engagement. This partnership will support two landcare groups in Victoria to make a positive impact to local ecosystems, biodiversity, and community well-being. I'm excited to see the outcomes of this funding and how it will demonstrate the importance of partnerships in enhancing environmental stewardship within local communities,” Mr Norrish said.
AusNet CEO, David Smales said AusNet was delighted to partner with Landcare Australia to build a more sustainable future.
“We are pleased to be partnered with Landcare Australia. With its long and trusted history, Landcare Australia is a great fit for AusNet and supports our focus on sustainability through on-ground projects and community capability building. I’m excited to see the community benefits that will flow from the grants we’ve announced today,” Mr Smales said.
Today’s announcement follows the signing of a three-year corporate partnership between Landcare Australia and AusNet which aims to fund community landcare activities within AusNet’s electricity distribution network across eastern and northeastern Victoria. The two grants are to support three-year projects, with annual funding of $20,000 per project.
The partnership includes community grants, projects and corporate environmental volunteering activities which enable AusNet employees to get ‘hands on’ to support landcare projects, learning about local environmental issues, and encouraging collaboration with the community.