MEDIA RELEASE

Still time to apply for Environmental Enhancement Fund

For immediate release: 15 March 2010

Local community groups looking for funding for an environmental project still have time to apply to Environment Bay of Plenty’s Environmental Enhancement Fund.

This year the fund, with $300,000 available for community groups, opened early to fit in better with planting seasons, and closes on Monday 12 April 2010.

Decisions will be made in July so that projects can get underway during the winter and spring planting seasons.

Environmental Enhancement Fund Sub-committee Chairman Malcolm Whitaker said Environment Bay of Plenty councillors and staff are available to discuss project ideas with community groups and provide advice. The fund supports projects that directly enhance the environment and involve people from the community.

“Many communities are keen to actively care for their environment, but need help doing it. That’s where this fund can help by supporting them with funding, and also with advice and encouragement,” he said.

We want to see applications for projects that use the enthusiasm and skills of the local community as well as raising environmental awareness and improving the environment.”

During the past ten years more than 300 projects have received more than $6 million for a range of environmental initiatives, including wetland restoration, education workshops and pest weed and animal control.

“This year the Environmental Enhancement Fund is targeting three key areas that are particularly important for the region and are a focus of the Regional Council’s Ten Year Plan. They are water quality (streams, lakes and lake margins), threatened species and their habitats and harbours and estuaries,” Councillor Whitaker said.

Projects involving these elements would receive additional points during the assessment process. First-time applicants, and those who had been unsuccessful in previous years, would also be more favourably considered.

If you have a project in mind, contact Environmental Enhancement Fund Officer Sandy Hohepa at Environment Bay of Plenty or your local regional councillor to discuss your ideas.

Application packs are available from regional council offices and online. For more information, please contact Environment Bay of Plenty on 0800 ENV BOP (368 267) or go to www.envbop.govt.nz.

Information sessions will be held for those interested in applying.
16 March - Whakatane, 12:30pm-1:30pm
Environment Bay of Plenty, 5 Quay Street, Whakatane
17 March - Rotorua, 12:30pm – 1:30pm
Environment Bay of Plenty, 1125 Arawa Street Rotorua
18 March - Tauranga, 12:30pm – 1:30pm
Mount Cosmopolitan Club, 54 Miro Street

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