GRANTS ENCOURAGE COMMUNITY TO PROTECT NATURAL RESOURCES

Community natural resource management groups across Queensland can now apply for Bligh Government funding of up to $10,000 to highlight the value of the environment and the need to protect it.

Natural Resources and Water Minister Craig Wallace announced the 2009 Natural Resources Awareness Grants in Cairns today during the Cairns Regional Parliament.

"Natural Resources Awareness Grants are offered to fund activities and projects which promote the importance of natural resources in our lives, while encouraging more Queenslanders to become involved in their protection," Mr Wallace said.

"Grants of up to $5000 are available to groups such as Landcare, Bushcare, Coastcare and Waterwatch, and up to $10,000 will be considered for projects where there is a genuine collaboration between two or more organisations."

Minister Wallace said the grants program helped eligible groups develop entertaining and educational projects that effectively engaged the community on natural resource issues.

Examples of the work from the previous grants round include:

• A community activity day and site tour to raise public awareness of weed threats by the Cambooya Landcare Association Inc;
• A documentary by Cape York Marine Advisory Council Environmental Inc showcasing the biodiversity values of the Cape York wetlands and focusing on the involvement of local community groups and Indigenous rangers in the management of the region;
• A mural on the Fitzroy River bridge wall with an environmental theme, painted by young people at Rockhampton, and facilitated by Greening Australia;
  
• A program by Order of Underwater Coral Heroes Volunteers Inc which included a presentation about how to lessen impacts of some activities on coral in the Great Barrier Reef as well as a field trip and guided tour to the reef where experts from the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority demonstrated coral monitoring techniques.

Mr Wallace said the theme for this year’s grants was Youth Working together – protecting, repairing and restoring the environment.

Application forms and guidelines are available at www.nrw.qld.gov.au or by calling (07) 3238 3165. Applications close on 19 December 2008.