Helping local legends make great things happen: Grassroot Grants 2026-27 announced
The Northern and Yorke Landscape Board has announced the successful recipients of the 2026-2027 Grassroots Grants program
The Northern and Yorke Landscape Board's popular Grassroots Grants program is again giving local groups the firepower to make great things happen in their own backyard.
This year’s recipients have just been announced, with $181,841 being awarded to 22 projects across the region. The beauty of the program is that every grant leverages significant community contributions, often more than doubling the value of the investment. The result is more boots on the ground, more local action and even greater outcomes for Northern and Yorke landscapes.
Local priorities. Local projects. Local impact.
From protecting vulnerable beach-nesting birds and restoring rare orchids to planting tiny forests and tackling invasive weeds, to helping people understand their local landscapes and how to care for them, communities across the Northern and Yorke region are rolling up their sleeves to deliver lasting environmental benefits close to home.
Northern and Yorke Landscape Board says the grants highlight the power of community-driven action.
“This year we have projects spanning coastlines, waterways, farms, conservation reserves, schools and townships, with community groups, volunteers, councils, schools and landholders all playing a role in caring for the landscapes they know and love,” says Grassroot Grants project manager Kate Pearce.
"Our local communities understand their landscapes better than anyone, and these projects show what's possible when passionate people are supported to bring their ideas to life.
"These grants may be relatively small, but the impact is significant. They're helping communities improve biodiversity, protect native species, restore important habitats and build stronger connections with the environment."
Across the region, funded projects will restore degraded landscapes, improve habitat for native wildlife, control invasive weeds and pests, strengthen climate resilience and provide hands-on environmental education opportunities for young people.
Coastal communities are tackling dune erosion at Chinaman Wells and Port Rickaby, helping protect beaches from storm damage while improving habitat for native species. Meanwhile, Friends of the Hooded Plover Yorke Peninsula will continue efforts to protect one of South Australia's most vulnerable beach-nesting birds through monitoring, fox control and community education.
Healthy waterways are also receiving a boost, with projects along the Gawler River focused on erosion control, revegetation and habitat restoration. Additional river and creek restoration projects will help improve biodiversity and waterway health across the region.
Several projects are creating new habitat for native plants and wildlife. Adelaide Plains Council will restore Camel Reserve, while Copper Coast Council will establish a Tiny Forest in Moonta, demonstrating how even small urban spaces can make a big difference for biodiversity.
Young people are also getting involved, with students from Horizon Christian School and Nuriootpa High School taking part in practical conservation activities that will help nurture the next generation of environmental stewards.
Not all projects involve planting trees. Upper North Farming Systems will trial innovative inversion monitoring technology to support smarter spray decisions, while new Living Landscape signs will be installed at Bundaleer Forest to help visitors better understand the region's natural heritage.
