The Allan Labor Government is empowering thousands of young Victorians to protect and care for the state’s natural environment and wildlife into the future. 

Member for Eastern Victoria Tom McIntosh today welcomed the news that Mirboo North Secondary College would be one of the 103 groups to share in more than the $409,000 statewide provided through the Victorian Junior Landcare and Biodiversity Grants program. 

Other recipients will include childcare centres, kindergartens, schools, Scouts, Guides and youth groups across Victoria. 

Grants of up to $5,000 were awarded for educational activities that engage children in conservation and projects that improve and expand habitat for native plants, insects and wildlife. 

The secondary college received $5,000, the maximum amount available, to enhance and restore the environment that was damaged by storms earlier this year. 

Since 2018, $3 million has been invested to support more than 47,000 young people undertake on-ground conservation projects and activities. 

Since then, these initiatives have achieved incredible results – including 99,000 new indigenous plantings and more than 1000 student excursions to wildlife sanctuaries. 

The Victorian Landcare Program forms part of the Labor Government’s continued commitment to combat the decline of the state’s native plants and animals, building on a record $609 million investment in the delivery of Victoria’s landmark 20-year Biodiversity plan since 2014. 

For more information on the Victorian Junior Landcare and Biodiversity Grants program, visit environment.vic.gov.au/grants/victorian-junior-landcare-and-biodiversity-grants. 

Quotes attributable to Minister for Environment Steve Dimopoulos  

“We are proud to support the next generation of Victorians to learn and take action to protect our natural environment.”  

“We’ve invested more than any other government to protect our biodiversity and improve our natural environment.” 

Quote attributable to Member for Eastern Victoria Tom McIntosh 

“I was on the ground to see the storm damage in Mirboo North in February, and it’s wonderful to see students are helping in the work to rebuild the environment.” 

“As the Secretary of the recently established Parliamentary Friends of Landcare, I’m very excited to see our government supporting Junior Landcarers to do this work.” 

Quotes attributable to Mirboo North Secondary College Principal Vaya Dauphin 

“We are incredibly thrilled to receive this grant. During the storm in Mirboo North in February, the school lost over 60 mature trees.” 

“The opportunity to support our community in the future through supplying trees we have grown ourselves will go a long way towards revegetating our beautiful natural environment.”