Regional Community Shares in $500,000 for Local Environmental Projects

A total of 39 projects have received support through the Murraylands and Riverland Landscape Board’s 2025–26 Grassroots Grants program, which empowers local communities to tackle on-the-ground environmental challenges.

Funded initiatives include revegetation and habitat restoration, protection of threatened species, regenerative agriculture practices, and educational resources to help students learn about the value of their local landscapes.

Chair of the landscape board, Frances Simes, said the program plays a vital role in encouraging community-led action.

“Our communities care deeply about the health, productivity and sustainability of our landscapes,” Ms Simes said.

“The Grassroots Grants program helps bring local ideas to life – supporting practical projects that are meaningful to those who live and work in the region.”

“This year’s recipients include a diverse mix of environmental works, research, and activities that help build the capacity of future land managers,” she said.

Ms Simes also noted that the grants are funded through landscape levies contributed by regional ratepayers, with all funds invested back into local communities.

Projects funded through Grassroots Grants in 2025-26 include:

• Brinkley landholder Andrew Smith is sowing 1.8 hectares of his farm with native grasses to restore his degraded, sandy soils. The project aims to enhance biodiversity and improve adaptation to a changing climate by using species that are well adapted to the area’s environmental conditions.
• On the Reedy Creek Swamp at Caloote, landholder Trevor Kubenk is using his grant funding to help build a turtle nest protection fence to segregate a peninsula of land from foxes. In conjunction with a fox baiting project, this initiative will help to protect nesting turtles, so eggs have a better chance of hatching.
• Students at Karoonda Area School will benefit from a new living classroom, integrating biodiversity and First Nation’s culture through the planting of native trees and bushtucker plants. The new space will provide a setting for educational activities, community gatherings, cultural events and strengthen the connection between the school and the local Ngarkat community.
• Friends of Gluepot Reserve will use their Grassroots Grant funding to purchase equipment to allow volunteers to work safely at height. Safer access to clean the gutters of buildings will provide Gluepot guests and volunteers with a more sustainable flow of potable water. Gluepot, north of Waikerie, is home to several nationally threatened bird species including black-eared miners and malleefowl.

A map of all funded projects is available at the landscape board’s community engagement website, Flow.

This program is supported by the Murraylands and Riverland Landscape Board through funding from landscape levies.