Twelve projects funded to improve outback landscapes

Control of Noogoora Burr infestations by air and by drone, protection of mound springs and endangered plants, propagation and establishment of new populations of indigenous plant species, support for volunteers undertaking Opuntia cactus control and a fauna surveys are among the supported projects in the current grant round.

Port Augusta residents will again be able to attend a one-day event provided by the city’s Coastcare group, raising awareness of the diverse marine ecology that exists in the ocean and in the mangroves. The group received $10,000 to promote protection and preservation of the local coastal environment.

Populations of endangered Slender Bell-fruit trees will be protected on Holowiliena Station near Cradock, while Indigenous Rangers from the Nantawarrina Indigenous Protected Area (IPA) will be supported to propagate tubestock seedlings from locally collected native tree and shrub seeds to revegetate degraded landscapes.

Funding was provided for the second stage of a Native Bush Food Garden, for building a shelter, and installing signage and a water feature at its Mount Ive location, while the third stage of the Copley Botanic Garden, will focus on the provision of vulnerable plants of the Flinders Ranges and Outback South Australia.

Local community groups, not-for-profit organisations and volunteers were able to apply for funding to help sustainably manage local landscapes through on-ground works and building community capacity.

SA Arid Lands Landscape Board chair Douglas Lillecrapp said the variety of projects funded in the latest round aligned with the goals of the Grassroots Grants program and the board’s strategic plan, being community capacity building, pest and weed control, biodiversity protection and monitoring, along with landscape and water management.

“Protection from feral herbivores is vital to protect the mound springs for the Great Artesian Basin and I am happy to see this project funded by the board,” Douglas said.

“I’m also looking forward to hearing about the success the Nantawarrina Rangers have in raising local indigenous plants from seed after attending their recent 25 year celebration and exploring the wonderful work they undertake at Nipapanha Aboriginal Corporation Inc.

“It’s great to see applications from community groups that haven’t previously applied, as well as others that have sought to continue ongoing projects.”

This was the fourth round of the Grassroots Grants, an annual funding program that was introduced as part of the Landscape South Australia Act 2019.

For more information on who received grants and the projects now underway, visit www.landscape.sa.gov.au/saal/get-involved/grants-and-funding