Grants to fund vital works in national parks

Grants of up to $15,000 are available for nature-based initiatives as part of the Friends of Parks and Nature Grants Program, with funding applications opening today.

The grants support valuable environmental projects led by South Australia’s 144 Friends of Parks and Nature groups.

Applications can be made to fund a range of activities, including threatened species recovery, revegetation, habitat monitoring and Aboriginal or European heritage conservation.

Projects funded in the 2023 grant program included:

• Expanding the population of Shark Bay bandicoots at the Arid Recovery Reserve, north of Roxby Downs.
• Weed control to protect chestnut-rumped heathwren habitat at Anstey Hill Recreation Park.
• Support for polygala weed management in Lincoln National Park.
• Improving native habitat along the Carro and First creek catchments in Cleland National Park.

National Parks and Wildlife Service Community and Nature Partnerships Manager, Helen Donovan, said the grants recognised the important role Friends of Parks and Nature volunteers played in protecting our national parks.

“Research shows that about eight out of 10 South Australians visit a national park at least once a year,” Ms Donovan said.

“These visits are made more enjoyable thanks to the tireless efforts of Friends of Parks and Nature volunteers, who spend thousands of hours each year caring for our environment to protect native fauna and flora.

“This grant program is an important way of supporting Friends of Parks and Nature groups so they can continue to make a lasting contribution to their local communities.”

Projects must be completed within 12 months and groups can submit more than one application per round.

Grant applications are open until 31 October at https://environmentsa.smartygrants.com.au/