Nelsonians supported to restore our natural environment.

Earlier this year, Council launched a new Environmental Grants scheme to help support environmental work within the community.

The first round of applications to the Scheme saw 24 groups and individuals supported to improve Nelson’s natural environment. Applications for up to $5,000 are now open for the second funding round - applications close 22 November. A final funding round for 2019/20 will be held in March 2020.

The scheme awards assistance in the form of grants up to a value of $5,000. Where suitable, support over several years can be considered.

Support can be in the form of money, professional ecological advice, and/or native plants, as specified in individual funding agreements.

The fund will focus on individual and community projects that do great things for our environment, especially in the areas below:

•Protecting existing native biodiversity on private and public land (e.g. weeding, planting, fencing, possum and goat control).

•Restoring connections between native ecosystems (e.g. native planting to connect or extend fragmented ecosystems).

•Enhancing native wildlife through predator control (e.g. community trapping projects on private and public land).

•Enhancing habitat for native wildlife within the Nelson Halo and coastal ecosystems.

•Restoring riparian margins

•Reducing erosion on farming and forestry land

•Reducing sediment or contaminants into freshwater.

From the first round, held in August 2019, a total of $167,000 was awarded across Council’s Sustainable Land Management, Healthy Streams and Nelson Nature programmes. 

The funding includes $91,000 provided by MPI’s Hill Country Erosion Fund to support landowners planting steep erosion-prone slopes.

Clare Barton, Group Manager Environmental Management, says “I’m pleased to see so many individuals and groups taking up this opportunity to improve our native habitats and ecosystems.” 

“Funding is going towards a range of projects that will help improve Nelson's environment. I encourage people make the most of the support available through the next two rounds of funding.”

Details of the priorities for environmental grants and the application process are available online, or email philippa.beckman@ncc.govt.nz for more information.