Bellarine Junior Landcare and Biodiversity Grants awarded

THOUSANDS of young Victorians are in the great outdoors and learning how to care for the state’s land, waterways and native wildlife with support from the Victorian government.

On Wednesday last week, Bellarine MP Alison Marchant celebrated the achievements of three Bellarine primary schools recognised as part of the Victorian Junior Landcare and Biodiversity Grants program, with up to $5,000 awarded to support their projects.

All projects funded provide an important opportunity to connect young people with nature by allowing them to experience firsthand how to care for Victoria’s unique native wildlife.

Local projects funded include the Care for Creation Project at St Thomas Primary School in Drysdale, encouraging students to appreciate and care for nature through hands-on activities such as tree planting, habitat restoration, and citizen science programs.

Wallington on Wadawurrung Project at Wallington Primary School is celebrating, nurturing and connecting with all that lives and grows and engaging students in a hands-on exploration of local biodiversity, celebrating the rich ecological and cultural heritage of the region.

The Moonah Woodland Playground project at Barwon Heads Primary School aims to address the decline of endangered moonah woodlands in Barwon Heads while creating an innovative, biodiversity-focused playground.

“These innovative projects showcase the important role our young people play in the Bellarine in protecting local native wildlife and plants into the future – not only shaping a cleaner, greener and thriving future for our community, but for all Victorians,” Ms Marchant said.

Minister for Environment Steve Dimopoulos awarded $450,000 in grants to support 111 projects across schools, Scouts, Guides and youth groups through the grants program.

Grants of up to $5,000 were awarded for nature-based educational activities that engage children in conservation and for on-ground projects that create, enhance or restore habitat for native plants and animals.

Since 2018, the Victorian Junior Landcare grants have provided $3.2 million to 778 successful projects that combined have led to more than 57,000 young people being involved in environmental projects including 1,500 excursions, 847 nest boxes installed and the planting of 124,000 indigenous plants.

For more information on Junior Landcare, head to juniorlandcare.org.au