Environmental fund opens for applications

Monday 18 June 2007

The chance to champion the environment in the Bay of Plenty is on offer again this month.

Applications open on June 25 for Environment Bay of Plenty’s Environmental Enhancement Fund.

The fund allocates $450,000 each year for environmental projects – making it one of the largest funds of its kind in New Zealand. More than two hundred projects have received $5 million in the past seven years for a range of initiatives, including wetland restoration, education workshops and heritage work.

Community engagement coordinator Kathryn Howard says community groups, iwi, businesses and local authorities should apply.

“We are looking for projects that directly enhance the environment while involving people in the community,” she explains.

The regional council is targeting three key areas that are particularly important for the region. They are wetlands, waterways and lake margins, harbours and estuaries and threatened species habitats. Ms Howard says projects involving these elements will receive bonus points during the assessment process. First-time applicants, and those who have been unsuccessful in past years, are being targeted as well.

Environment Bay of Plenty’s website contains in-depth information on the fund. From June 25 it will also include application forms. Interested people are also invited to attend information sessions throughout the Bay of Plenty in July.

“We’re running these gatherings again this year so people can find out more about the criteria for funding and the types of projects that are eligible for it. We’ll go through the application form with them as well.”

Applications close on August 6. For more information, give Environment Bay of Plenty a call on 0800 ENV BOP (368 267) or go to www.envbop.govt.nz.

Information workshops
Environment Bay of Plenty staff are running a series of workshops for groups interested in applying to the fund. They are being held at Environment Bay of Plenty offices throughout the region at lunchtime and during the evening.
Opotiki 2 July 12:30pm and 6:00pm
Whakatane 3 July 12.30pm and 6.00pm
Rotorua 4 July 12.30pm and 6.00pm
Tauranga 5 July 12.30pm and 6.00pm

Please call Sandy Hohepa on 0800 ENV BOP (368 267) to register or just turn up.

ENDS

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