Volunteers have been hand-watering vulnerable new plants in bushland at Tamborine to keep them alive as part of Logan City Council’s Environmental Grants program.
Conservation Volunteers Australia (CVA) was among the 36 recipients of grants last year.
Their Council funding supports a Richmond Birdwing Butterfly Vine Co-ordinated Corridors Program.
More than 200 vines were planted to help restore habitats for the endangered Richmond Birdwing, one of Australia’s largest and most beautiful butterflies.
The target was 400 vines but the supplier lost much of his stock when his dam dried up in the drought.
The remaining 200 vines will be planted when conditions improve and stock becomes available.
CVA’s Operations Manager (southern Queensland) Doug Mackenzie said hand-watering the new vines was the only way to ensure they made it through the drought.
“We’ve had up to seven volunteers going up there weekly to water the new vines,” he said.
CVA received Logan City Council Environmental grants for two other programs.
They have worked with students at Springwood State High School to eradicate weeds in bushland on the school grounds. CVA has also provided environmental education.
The organisation also received funding to eradicate weeds in the koala corridor from Shailer Park to Daisy Hill.
Mr Mackenzie described Council’s Environmental Grants program as “a winner”.
“Getting a grant like this is critical to our work,” he said.
“The work we have done so far is building on a nicely growing relationship we have with Logan City Council.”
The 37 recipients of Environmental Grants from Council in 2019 covered a range of fauna and flora projects.
They included a grant for Eastern blue-tongue skink research, support for the Bats Alive Logan Release Centre and funding for the rescue and rehabilitation of orphaned baby birds and other wildlife.
Mr Mackenzie urged other environment groups to nominate for Council’s 2020 Environmental Grants.
“Some may think that the work they are doing is just a very small part of the bigger picture but little steps add up to big changes,” he said.
Logan City Council’s Environmental Grants program aims to enhance and protect the natural environment. It also fosters sustainable practices by supporting community awareness and engagement projects.
There are five categories available:
- Environmental partnerships and capacity building – up to $10,000 funding per project
- On-ground ecosystem restoration – up to $10,000 funding per project
- Environmental surveys and research – up to $10,000 funding per project
- Environmental education – up to $2000 funding per project
- Individual wildlife carer support – up to $1500 funding per project
Applications open on Wednesday, January 29 and close on Wednesday, March 11.
Successful grant recipients will be announced at the Logan Eco Action Festival in May.
