Grants of between $5,000 and $50,000 for community groups to continue their local environmental projects under the Federal Government’s Community Environment Grant program are now available.

Federal Minister for the Environment, Tony Burke, praised the work currently being done by small community groups.

 “The efforts of community groups in controlling pests, planting trees, removing weeds and educating others are vital if we are to continue to increase biodiversity and preserve our habitats and natural icons,” Mr Burke said.

Mr Burke said there is a wide range of activities eligible for funding under the scheme, including activities that increase biodiversity in and around World Heritage Areas; developing land and sea country management plans, holding field days and conferences to show-case innovative sustainable environment practices.

Activities also extend to training local communities to participate in environmental protection, working with local governments, regional bodies and industries to reduce pollution entering urban and coastal waterways and marine environments and recording and using Indigenous ecological knowledge to deliver conservation outcomes.

Grant guidelines, application forms and further information is available from the Caring for our Country website: www.nrm.gov.au.