Federal Environment Minister Sussan Ley today announced a landmark $14million for Landcare led bushfire recovery projects in Queensland, New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory, Victoria, and South Australia.

The funding will support Landcare bushfire recovery projects in seven government designated bushfire regions impacted by the Black Summer bushfires of 2019/2020. 

Funded by the Australian Government, the program will provide grants for local and regional activities supporting bushfire recovery for fire-affected plant and animal species, ecological communities, and natural assets – including Ramsar listed wetlands and World Heritage-listed sites. 

The Landcare Led Bushfire Recovery Grants will provide eligible local Landcare Groups, environment networks, and community groups with access to grant funding up to $50,000, and larger partnership projects of up to $300,000. The funding will also include $4million available for projects that will benefit forests and coastal ecosystems in the East Gippsland bushfire impacted region.  

National Landcare Network Chief Executive Officer Jim Adams said that the $14million bushfire grants program will be delivered by a ground-breaking alliance between the National Landcare Network, the Landcare peak bodies in Queensland, New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory, Victoria, and South Australia, together with Landcare Australia. 

“The Landcare Led Bushfire Recovery Grants program will be co-delivered by all the Landcare organizations who will work together to support project applicants, to drive and coordinate a wide range of high-impact on-ground community and environmental projects over the next 12 months for community Landcare.      

Dr. Shane Norrish, Chief Executive Officer for Landcare Australia said that the Landcare Led Bushfire Recovery Grants will benefit landscape restoration, improve biodiversity, and support community resilience.  

“The grants program will mobilize, build capacity, increase participation and support for Landcare networks and groups, farmers and landowners, Traditional Owners, and other groups involved in community-led environmental activities. The grants program is an opportunity to share knowledge, network, and learn together with experts, their peers, industry, and community members.”

Call for submission of grant applications will be announced in May. 

For further information about projects and grants, visit www.landcareledbushfiregrants.org.au