Stewardship of land, water and nature championed in release of Grassroots Grants
Thirty-nine community-led projects that care for land, water and nature have been supported by the Hills and Fleurieu Landscape Board, in the 2025 round of Grassroots Grants.
Demonstrating environmental stewardship in action, these community-led projects range from revegetation, and fencing livestock out of creeks, to the creation of native plant seed banks and developing educational materials. At the heart of each project is an inspired and motivated community caring for land, water and nature.
The annual Grassroots Grants program provides $260,000 of funding, across two funding tiers: less than $4,000 and up to $20,000.
Chair of the Hills and Fleurieu Landscape Board David Greenhough said the grants, funded through the landscape levy, encouraged conservation action from landholders, community and volunteer groups, and schools.
“One of the cornerstones of Landscapes Hills and Fleurieu is to support landholders to be proactive in their stewardship of our environment,” he said.
“Grassroots Grants are a fantastic incentive to build greater community involvement in caring for our landscapes, and to financially support projects that will positively impact our region.”
Recipients of the 2025 Grassroots Grants program include:
The Bradbury Conservancy. The conservancy includes 14 clustered and two nearby properties, many of which were impacted by the 2021 Cherry Gardens bushfire. This project expands the conservancy with two new landholders, focusing on fencing, revegetation, and removal of invasive woody weeds made worse by fire. It aims to protect Hadrian Gully and grow the group’s positive environmental impact across the valley.
Stock exclusion and riparian restoration, Finniss. A private landholder who will be using the grant to fence cattle out of Giles Creek, a tributary of the Finniss River.
Uraidla Primary School. With their funding, Uraidla Primary School will be cultivating a Cultural Learning Garden. This designated place will host ongoing cultural learning for students, staff and surrounding community.
The Cultural Learning Garden will provide opportunity to collaborate and walk together with First Nations people in an ongoing capacity. It aims to incorporate and learn about traditional knowledge systems to build cultural responsiveness in students and their families.
The Hills Environment Centre. The Hills Environment Centre will utilise its grant to launch a native plant seed bank to conserve local plants and support revegetation projects in the Adelaide Hills. The seed bank will be open for both seed donations and withdrawals, enabling local Landcare groups to contribute and access native seeds, for propagating local native plants.
Carrickalinga Ratepayer’s Association. Carrickalinga is Australia’s first accredited Dark Sky Community and sought funding for tailored resources promoting uptake of wildlife-sensitive lighting to the community. The project will educate locals on reducing light pollution’s harmful effects on nocturnal biodiversity. The resources will include evidence-based guidance on lighting to support ecological health, improving community awareness, and compliance with national and international lighting standards.
Mr Greenhough said he was thoroughly impressed by the quality of applications.
“The Hills and Fleurieu region is home to many wonderful individuals and groups who are working hard to protect land, water and nature. I’m inspired and impressed with this year’s applicants and wish to congratulate the recipients,” he said.
See here for the full list of recipients.
