Grants help youth connect with nature

THE Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) has announced the recipients of the 2020 Victorian Junior Landcare and Biodiversity Grants.

Across the state 113 schools, kindergartens, childcare centres, scouts, and youth groups shared in $409,500 of grants to help them provide biodiversity projects and learning activities.

The grants aim to help young people connect to the environment and discover they can care for it.

Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change Lily D’Ambrosio said the grants coinciding with students return to the classroom was fortuitous.

“With students returning to face-to-face learning across Victoria, these projects will provide not only an opportunity to learn but also promote health and wellbeing,” Ms D’Ambrosio said.

“The Victorian Government is committed to encouraging young Victorians to actively care for the natural environment.”

Local recipients include 1st Highton Scout Group, $4393, to complete Nindethana Garden work; 1st Torquay Scouts, $4000 for the Eumeralla Team Trail Rejuvenation Project; Apollo Bay P-12 College, $3050, for a Native Revegetation Project; Apollo Parkways Preschool, $4907, for its Victorian Native Bee Project; Barwon Heads Primary School, $4667, for its Outdoor Learning Space and Biodiversity Garden; Leopold Primary School, $3700 for the Leopold Community Indigenous Garden; and North Geelong Secondary College, $4889 for its Grassland Action Project.

South Barwon MP Darren Cheeseman said the grants would valuable to local youths.

“These projects will benefit young Victorians in South Barwon by providing fun, interactive learning experiences to encourage appreciation and understanding of our natural environment.”

For more information on the Victorian Junior Landcare and Biodiversity Grants or to view a full list of recipients head to juniorlandcare.org.au/grant/2020-victorian-junior-landcare-and-biodiversity-grants.