$9.4 million available for native vegetation restoration projects

The Restoration Grants program 2024-2026 launched in 2024 is helping protect and improve habitat for threatened species, boost biodiversity and restore ecosystems.

The funding will support long-term projects lasting up to 10 years and this round is open to landholders in three separate Landscapes SA regions, with the following

funding available:

• Murraylands and Riverland - $4.2 million
• Limestone Coast - $1.6 million
• Hills and Fleurieu - $3.2 million.

This is the second round of funding provided under the new program.

The first round initially awarded $1.74m to protect and restore 5,068 hectares in the SA Arid Lands and Eyre Peninsula regions. Recipients included Cassinia Environmental who were successful in securing $1.19m to restore malleefowl habitat over 3,938 hectares across three properties on the Eyre Peninsula.

Eligible grant projects may include, but are not limited to:

• Revegetation of local native species
• Pest plant and animal control and management of over-abundant native species
• Fencing to exclude stock or other activities that impact biodiversity
• Protecting vegetation through a Heritage Agreement.

A second program - the Heritage Agreement Incentive Grants – is also available to encourage landholders to establish new Heritage Agreements to protect native vegetation on their land. Heritage Agreements are conservation areas on private land that contribute to restoring or protecting native vegetation and biodiversity.

These grants will help fund short-term projects (1-5 years) and are available to all SA landholders. Applications can be submitted any time up to 30 June 2026, however, landholders are encouraged to apply early.

Department for Environment and Water Director, Native Vegetation Merridie Martin said the latest funding package would deliver positive results for the environment.

"These grants will support healthy ecosystems by increasing the amount of woodlands and mallee across our state improving habitat for wildlife such as Malleefowl, Red-tail Black Cockatoos, Diamond Firetail, Southern Brown Bandicoots and many more," Ms Martin said.

"Native Vegetation Heritage Agreements have ensured the long-term protection of more than a million hectares of the state’s native vegetation since the initiative was first introduced in 1980."

Applications are open for 12 weeks, closing on Friday 16 May 2025. For more information visit the Native Vegetation Council website.