Environmental & learning focus for Eyre Peninsula groups

Close to $140,000 will go towards landscape management and environmental protection projects on Eyre Peninsula, under the Eyre Peninsula Landscape Board’s Grassroots Grants program.

EP Landscape Board Chair Peter Treloar says the range of projects submitted this year for grants, demonstrates the community interest in looking after Eyre Peninsula’s environment.

“It’s really pleasing to see so much interest in our grants program and I look forward to seeing what the community can achieve with their grants,” Mr Treloar says.

“We’ve been able to fund 15 projects, the majority from the community and education sector along with three from both the agriculture and local government sectors.

“There’s a really varied range of projects from creating a native foods garden at Streaky Bay to Zoos SA looking into the conservation status of a frog species; and locals getting involved with pest plant removal or revegetating landscapes as well as connecting farming communities and providing valuable learning opportunities.”

Successful projects involve at least one of landscape board’s priority areas of water, biodiversity, sustainable agriculture, pest plants & animals and the community.

Experiencing Marine Sanctuaries (EMS) has been granted $15,000 to bring a multi-faceted learning and connection experience to the Eyre Peninsula community through a Creating Coastal Connections program.

EMS Co-founder and Program Director Carl Charter says they are looking forward to bringing a series of learning opportunities and experiences to Eyre Peninsula during next year’s SALT Festival on lower Eyre Peninsula as well as at Cuttlefest in Whyalla.

“By sharing knowledge and connecting like-minded people, we hope to create the next generation of change makers and inspire new community groups and movements,” Mr Charter says.

“We hope to inspire and empower a community that has sustainability at the forefront of their everyday decisions.

“Our Creating Coastal Connections program will provide a broad range of inclusive opportunities for the community to learn about and experience firsthand, our amazing coastal and marine environment.

“These opportunities will range from snorkelling, virtual reality diving, First Nations walks, reef rambles, guest speakers, citizen science training and contributions, and more.

“By providing these amazing and powerful opportunities to Eyre Peninsula locals, we can create a connected and inspired community - one that works towards the good of the community, its places, and the environment.”

Projects have been funded under two streams of funding for the 2023-24 grants:

• Small Community Grants for up to $5,000 (GST exclusive) and
• Large Community Grants for up to $15,000 (GST exclusive).

These projects will be undertaken over the next 12-18 months. To see updates on projects, subscribe to our bi-monthly newsletter.

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. See the full list of projects funded by the Eyre Peninsula Landscape Board this year.