Local Landcare groups have shared in more than $200,000 to carry out environmental projects that improve biodiversity and land health across the catchment.

Each year the State Government offers Victorian Landcare Grants for local groups to apply through a competitive grants process run by their catchment management authorities who assess and distribute the grants.

This year, 18 local groups’ project and network grant applications in the North Central Catchment Management Authority (CMA) region were successful.

“Each year the quality of applicants is impressive, and this year was no exception,” North Central CMA Regional Landcare Coordinator Tess Grieves said.

“For the second year in a row, we had the highest success rate ever for our community grants program.

“That goes to show our Landcare and community groups are really on the ball and focussed on the environmental projects that are important to their communities.”

One of the highlights this year is a grant for the Kara Kara Conservation Management Network at St Arnaud.

“The group partners with the community, school and local volunteers to restore the landscape within and surrounding the Kara Kara National Park” Ms Grieves said.

“They are also working with adjoining landholders and public land managers, to increase public awareness about the habitat requirements of a range of native species in both urban and rural setting”

“The group focus heavily on citizen science monitoring in the areas fragmented woodlands, supported by public events to demonstrate simple ways people can create native wildlife-friendly habitat wherever they live.”

Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change Lily D’Ambrosio congratulated the local groups on their projects.

“The Victorian Landcare program is an investment in our future and it’s fantastic to see these local groups receiving grants to support their important environmental projects,” she said.