15 May 2018 North Central Review (Kilmore), Melbourne (General News) LOCAL environmental groups are being helped to protect and restore Victorias land and environment in ihe latest round of Landcare grants. Member for Northern Victoria, Jaclyn Symes has announced that environmental volunteer groups can now access grants up lo 120,000 as part of ihe 2018/19 Victorian Landcare Grams. Start-up grants of $500 are also available for new and existing groups to help wilh operating cosls and provide a base for Landcare and community-based natural resource management in Northern Victoria. The grams are available to Land care and olher environment volunteer groups to support the important work they do in protecling and restoring our land and environ men I. These grants are supporting the community and volunteer groups in ihe dislrict lo give back to ihe environment. Ms Symes said. Since it started more than 30 years ago, Land care has made a viial contribution to ihe regions environment and Labor is helping ihem continue lo deliver this important work. Hundreds of thousands of dollars in Landcare grams have been provided to Landcare and environment groups to support to fantastic work they do. The funding will be delivered through Victorias 11 catchment ( management authorities, who will coordinate applications from Landcare and other environmental volunteer groups and networks. Landcare is also funded for 78 facilitators, 10 regional coordinators and communications including ihe Victorian Land care magazine, Victorian Land care awards and Land care Gateway website. The Victorian Land care Grams support ihe implementation of Pro tec I ing Victorias Environmenl Biodiversity 2037- a long-term plan to protect the environmenl. For more information on the grants go to envtrvnmenf.vtc.gov.