The NSW Environmental Trust’s annual Protecting Our Places grants are now open, and Aboriginal groups or corporations are encouraged to apply for funding up to $80,000.
Aboriginal Programs Officer with the Trust, Shannon Whyte, said the grant program is in its 22nd year and has funded more than 240 Aboriginal community-led environmental projects.
“Any Aboriginal groups working on Country can apply for funding through this fantastic program,” Ms Whyte said.
“‘Protecting Our Places’ empowers Aboriginal groups to develop and share their cultural land management practices.
“It also supports communities to conserve culturally significant environmental landscapes in New South Wales.
“The types of projects that have successfully applied for funding include creating bush tucker gardens, rainforest and riverbed restoration, fire management and conservation of threatened species habitat.
“In response to feedback, the Trust has also greatly simplified the grant application process this year and we genuinely look forward to receiving applications before 2 April,” Ms Whyte said.
Organisations that receive grants will be supported by the NSW Environmental Trust to develop project plans from the outset.
In recent years the Trust has introduced project management workshops as part of the grants program, and this hands-on training and support has been invaluable in terms of building relationships and skills.
The NSW Environmental Trust aims to increase the amount of culturally significant Aboriginal land protected, restored, and managed by local Aboriginal groups, land managers, and stakeholders.
For details about Protecting Our Places grants and how to apply, visit the . Applications close 2 April 2024.
