Otways group receives biodiversity grant

THE Friends of the Eastern Otways are among several groups that will share in $4.7 million funding for regional projects.

Last week, Member for Western Victoria Gayle Tierney congratulated the Friends of Eastern Otways for their First Aid project which has been awarded $2,200.

The Friends of Eastern Otways are people who share an interest in the natural environment and who would like to learn more about the Great Otway National Park and its flora and fauna.

The group is committed to protecting the park for all to appreciate and enjoy, working in partnership with the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning as well as Parks Victoria on a variety of environmental projects each year.

The funding is being provided through the Labor Government’s Regional Landscapes and Targeted Action initiative.

The initiative supports regional agencies and government partners to undertake a collaborative approach to large-scale projects that deliver strategic management interventions that improve biodiversity.

This funding builds on the recently announced Community & Volunteer Action, and 2018 Crowdfunding Grants. These grants are part of the $86.3 million funding to implement Protecting Victoria’s Environment – Biodiversity 2037 project over four years.

Since the release of Biodiversity 2037, the state government has announced a range of initiatives that support on-ground action, along with the Biodiversity 2037 Implementation Framework, which contains 89 actions that will make biodiversity protection in Victoria more efficient and effective.

These 89 actions will support the significant investment in on-ground action from the Victorian Government, in collaboration with community, Traditional Owners, environmental organisations, agencies, business and industry.

“These grants go a long way to improving biodiversity and helping us deliver our ambitious environmental agenda – to ensure Victoria’s environment is healthy, valued and protected for years to come,” Ms Tierney said.

“This collaborative approach to biodiversity management is giving community groups the skills, knowledge and manpower to undertake this important work.

“Local groups in the Eastern Otways are best placed to deliver these projects to improve biodiversity in our community.”