Hands-on locals care for region's landscapes
Sustainability champions across the Northern and Yorke region received nearly $200,000 in the latest round of the Grassroots Grants program.
The Northern and Yorke Landscape Board has rewarded 22 successful applicants with up to $10,000 for on-ground projects that care for the region’s soil, water and biodiversity.
A total funding pool of $192,467 will be shared between community groups, councils, schools, landholders, First Nations communities and not for profit organisations for projects in the 2022-2023 financial year.
Northern and Yorke Landscape Board Chair Caroline Schaefer said the Grassroots Grants program, which is funded through the landscape levy, gives local communities the financial boost they need to make a difference.
“Each year our board is thrilled to give hands-on locals funding support for sustainable landscape projects they’re passionate about,” she said.
“These are also projects that support the Board’s key priorities, including controlling pests, enhancing biodiversity, protecting soil health, and building agricultural productivity and drought resilience.”
The funding has been widely distributed across the region, with projects planned within 11 of the 15 council regions from Light Regional Council in the south to the District Council of Orroroo Carrieton in the north and across to the foot of Yorke Peninsula.
Many of this year’s Grassroots Grants projects will tackle revegetation and weed control activities, including in Tickera, Bundaleer Creek, Minlaton, Auburn, Watervale, Gawler River, Bowman Park, Tarcowie and World’s End near Burra.
The need for one of these projects was identified at anon-country Aboriginal Engagement Committee meeting last year, where the group toured an ancient Nukunu ochre quarry plagued with weed issues. The Karku Project has received $9,253 in Grassroots Grants funding to rehabilitate the quarry through weed control and a planting day.
In the agricultural space, the Clare Valley Wine & Grape Association Inc. received $9,995 to support the uptake of a national sustainability program.
“The CVWGA project supports the adoption of the wine industry’s national sustainability program, Sustainable Winegrowing Australia (SWA), by Clare Valley grape growers and wine makers and aligns really well to the Northern and Yorke Landscape Board’s sustainable agriculture priority,” said CVWGA Executive Officer Anna Baum.
“SWA has two focuses; one is to develop best practice in the vineyard and winery and the other is to build sustainability credentials through certification.
“It is so important to the region that all land users think about the future of our agricultural enterprises and how we make our businesses more resilient, not only environmentally, but also socially and economically. This program helps grape growers and wine producers achieve this.”
View the list of 2022-2023 Grassroots Grants recipients and their projects. Find more information about the Grassroots Grants program.
