The State Government is empowering thousands of young Victorians to protect and care for the state’s natural environment and wildlife into the future.
Environment Minister Steve Dimopoulos awarded more than $409,000 on Thursday 26 September to support 103 childcare centres, kindergartens, schools, Scouts, Guides and youth groups through the Victorian Junior Landcare and Biodiversity Grants program.
“We are proud to support the next generation of Victorians to learn and take action to protect our natural environment,” Mr Dimopoulos said.
“We’ve invested more than any other government to protect our biodiversity and improve our natural environment.”
Grants of up to $5000 were awarded for educational activities that engage children in conservation and projects that improve and expand habitat for native plants, insects and wildlife.
Projects funded include the creation of a new habitat for the gang-gang cockatoo at Research Primary School and the revegetation of degraded land near the Dandenong Ranges National Park by Fernbrook School students who will replace weeds with native plants.
The Red Hill Scouts will undertake a ‘biodiversity blitz’ to identify local species and plant wildlife habitat to link their scout hall to neighbouring bushland, while St Kilda Park Primary students will create nesting boxes for birdlife and pollinator hotels for bees to support the long-term health of local ecosystems.
Since 2018, $3 million has been invested to support more than 47,000 young people undertake on-ground conservation projects and activities.
Since then, these initiatives have achieved incredible results – including 99,000 new indigenous plantings and more than 1000 student excursions to wildlife sanctuaries.
The Victorian Landcare Program forms part of the Labor Government’s continued commitment to combat the decline of the state’s native plants and animals, building on a record $609 million investment in the delivery of Victoria’s landmark 20-year Biodiversity plan since 2014.
For more information on the Victorian Junior Landcare and Biodiversity Grants program, visit environment.vic.gov.au/grants/victorian-junior-landcare-and-biodiversity-grants.
