Community Grassroots Grants open
More than $110,000 is available for the Eyre Peninsula community to put towards local landscape management projects or events focusing on water, sustainable agriculture, pest plants and animals, biodiversity and community.
The funding comes from the Eyre Peninsula Landscape Board’s annual Grassroots Grants program which supports individuals, volunteers, community groups and other organisations working on a not-for-profit basis, to undertake projects or events that focus on one of its regional priorities.
Eyre Peninsula Landscape Board Chair, Peter Treloar encourages the community to submit grants applications for landscape management and environmental protection projects.
“These grants are about inspiring the community to become actively involved in the sustainable management of our local natural resources,” Mr Treloar says.
“The Board has five regional priorities of water, sustainable agriculture, pest plants and animals, biodiversity and community – so if you have a project that focuses on one of these priorities, this funding could be beneficial.
“If you are keen to make a difference, the Board’s staff are here to help in navigating through the application process, and if successful, they will continue to provide support in delivering the outcomes you hoped to achieve.”
The grant program will open for applications on Wednesday, March 20 and close on Monday, April 29.
There are two streams of funding for the 2024-25 grants:
- Small Community Grants for up to $5,000 (GST exclusive) and
- Large Community Grants for up to $15,000 (GST exclusive).
Last year the Board funded 15 projects for community groups, local government, agriculture groups and education providers. Projects included:
- District Council of Streaky Bay creating a bush food garden area as part of an update to its Pioneer Park.
- A series of workshops focusing on plant health, coordinated by the Plant Sap Analysis Group and Ag Innovation and Research EP (AIR EP).
- Experiencing Marine Sanctuaries (EMS) coordinating community events to connect with the coast, taking place this April.
- WoTL hosting crop walks for women involved in agriculture last year.
- Friends of Polda Rock creating a book to help connect children with local nature.
- Whyalla City Council creating an interpretive walking trail for local saltmarsh areas.
- Lower Eyre Coastcare monitoring nutrient concentrations in Coffin Bay water.
Full details about the Grassroots Grants including an application form, guidelines and FAQs, are available on the landscape board’s website at www.landscape.sa.gov.au/ep/grassrootsgrants.
Applicants need to engage with Eyre Peninsula Landscape Board staff early in the application process to ensure that all required information is included. The guidelines provide local contact details.
Projects must be completed by mid-June 2025 except where the 18-month grant option has been selected during the application process.
Grassroots Grants are offered annually in each of the State’s landscape board regions, as part of the Landscape SA Act 2019, funded by the Board levy.
