08 Dec 2017 Wangaratta Chronicle, Wangaratta VIC (General News) Landcare groups get handy funds for local projects THE State Government has this week allocated $175,000 in grants to local Landcare groups in the North East to help efforts to preserve the regions precious natural environment. Jaclyn Symes (MLC, Northern Victoria) said the funding from the Victorian Landcare Grants program will help Landcare and environmental volunteer groups with priority projects in the region. As well as local staff support and maintenance, larger grants have been allocated to local projects that look to improve biodiversity through reveg-etation, and remnant vegetation enhancement and protection. In Northern Victoria we have some of the hardest working local environmental groups in the state and I am pleased that Labor has again supported them to improve our environment, Ms Symes said. We need to take great care of our natural environment and the unique biodiversity of this part of the world. Ms Sykes said teh funding also supports projects that promote innovation, as well as build capacity through activities for land stewardship and on-ground change, startup funding and maintenance grants to ensure a strong Land-care base across the state. Grant recipients include: Springhurst and Byawatha Hills Landcare Group continuing coordinated rabbit management and ensuring best practice by landholders $3500; Wangaratta Urban Land-care Group building on its urban Nature Day and Indigenous engagement in Wanga-ratta $3670; Swamps Rivers and Ranges providing education and nest box monitoring programs in two areas $4600; Wangaratta Sustainability Network continuing urban education and carp control works with ARI inWangaratta- $4870; Upper Ovens Valley Landcare Group Inc community education and works project continuing community riparian reserve improvement and education events $5940; Greta Valley Landcare Group Farm Gate Gatherings, community education project providing field days and workshops on vegetation and habitat enhancements for new landholders $7200; Milawa Markwood Oxley Landcare Groups environmental works project undertaking small protection works along Horseshoe Creek $7200; North East and Surrounds Equine Landcare Inc equine management education for field days and workshops to build skills of horse owners in improving NRM practices $7200; North East Blackberry Action Group community-led blackberry management project for pest management to engage farmers in blackberry management, plus providing best practice case study $7200; Wooragee Landcare Group Inc community education and works engaging local school for Bio Blitz and events promoting native pollinators to local community $7200; and Burgoigee Creek Land-care, Everton Chiltern Land-care, Tarrawingee Honeysuckle and Spring Creek Landcare and Glenrowan Wises Creek Talgarno Landcare groups also received $500 each for maintenance projects. Caption Text: NATURALLY FUN: Sally, Alice (eight) and Reg Colson (three and a half) all enjoyed exploring the natural wonders found in Wangaratta as part of the Nature Day organised by the Wangaratta Urban Landcare Group last month. The group this week received funding to build on the event. PHOTO: Emma Hillier Licensed by Copyright Agency. You may only copy or communicate this work with a licence.