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 groups in Bairnsdale and Swan Reach would be among the 103 groups to share in more than the $409,000 statewide provided through the Victorian Junior Landcare and Biodiversity Grants program.
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 Bairnsdale Joey Scout Unit will be given funding for the third year in a row under the Junior Landcare and Biodiversity Grants Program, receiving $3,750 for a project about the Eagle Point Bats.
The Swan Reach Primary School will receive $5,000 for a project to enhance biodiversity through student engagement.
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
“The projects at Swan Reach and Eagle Point will get children out learning about the local environment and its heritage, including from Traditional Owners.”
“As the Secretary of the recently established Parliamentary Friends of Landcare, I’m excited to see our government supporting Junior Landcarers as they learn how to look after the environment and boost biodiversity in a practical way.”
Quotes attributable to Bairnsdale Scout Group Joey Scout Leader Allister Wade
“This is our Joey Scouts third year in a row being recipients of a Junior Landcare Grant. This has enabled us to undertake significant work to increase biodiversity in our local area.”
“This project will have Joey Scouts learning about the local Eagle Point bats, about local Gunaikurnai heritage of the area with GLAWAC, and creating new bat habitat.”
“We have worked with the local Eagle Point Landcare and local nurseries to identify suitable plants as per native plant overlays. It will create a custodianship in the youth for years to come who will be keen to protect the bats habitats.”
