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Natural Heritage Fund - applications are open

Applications for the 2022 round of the Natural Heritage Fund (NHF) opened on August 1.

The great news is the fund has received a huge boost through the Long Term Plan (LTP), going from $40,000 a year to $100,000. This means we will be able to support even more projects from next year onwards and bring greater gains for biodiversity in our region.

But we need applications, and there’s only a few weeks left.

So, if you have been planning a project that might fit the criteria of the fund, now is the time to put those plans into action. All privately owned land within the district is eligible. Projects must have the goal to protect or enhance indigenous biodiversity on that land.

In 2020, Oliver and Flynn Cave from Ngatapa were instrumental in the protection of a Protected Managed Area (PMA) block on their family farm “Sunworth”.  This was an area they enjoyed exploring when young and they were both keen to preserve the remnants of native bush that still remained.

Their goal was to protect three hectares of native trees with a stock proof fence, and re-establish a wetland area. The aim was to protect and encourage the regeneration of native flora and fauna, along with attracting greater bird life to the area.  Contained within the area is the species Pittosporum obcordatum – earlier reports show this being a “threatened -- nationally vulnerable" species.

Oliver and Flynn applied to the Natural Heritage Fund for a grant towards fencing costs in the 2020 funding round. They were very grateful to receive an allocation of $5,000 towards their project, with the fence being completed by June 2020. Work is ongoing to enhance this protected area, including pest and weed control and planting a selection of trees already identified as being in the area.

For more information on the Natural Heritage Fund or contact the Catchments and Biodiversity team at Council.

Applications close 5pm Wednesday 6 October 2021.

National Heritage Fund