Boost for native animals

THE Yarra4Life Project has received a major boost after securing a $100,000 grant from the Victorian Government.
The environmental project, run by the Port Phillip and Westernport Catchment Management Authority, aims to protect, improve, increase and connect habitat for native animals including the helmeted honeyeater and Leadbeater’s possum.
The grant was awarded under the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning’s Threatened Species Protection Initiative and will assist in the implementation of Yarra4Life’s ‘Securing the Future of Victoria’s State Emblems’ Project.
Partners involved in this project include Trust for Nature, Friends of the Helmeted Honeyeater, Parks Victoria and the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning.
The main objective of this project is to permanently secure land that will become a key site for future rehabilitation to support populations of helmeted honeyeater and Leadbeater’s possum.
Yarra4Life Project co-ordinator, Mary-Kate Hockey, said the grant was valuable.
“This grant will make a very important contribution to helmeted honeyeater and Leadbeater’s possum habitat by extending their habitat and providing them with a safe and secure environment to thrive in,” she said.
This grant will complement the significant work the Yarra4Life project has achieved to date.
In 2014-15, Yarra 4 Life completed a series of studies to identify high priority sites and began incentives for private landholders targeting pest plane and animal control and revegetation.