9/1/01
Grants totalling more than $169,000 have been awarded to community groups and individuals for projects to conserve Western Australia’s environment.
Environment Minister Cheryl Edwardes said the grants recognised the community’s efforts in helping to conserve the State’s natural environment, particularly its biodiversity.
“Conservation and protection of our ecosystems can not be done by Government alone and its success relies on the support, co-operation and dedication of all Western Australians, particularly community groups,” Mrs Edwardes said.
“Significant initiatives, such as the recently-released revised State Salinity Strategy, are essential components of our response to the challenge to protect our environment. But the impact of these initiatives can be bolstered many times over through the direct involvement of local communities.”
Mrs Edwardes said the community conservation grants were provided in three categories, with specific funding for fauna carers who looked after orphaned or injured wildlife.
“Fauna carers are some of the most dedicated conservationists and deserve every encouragement,” she said.
“To spend weeks at a time giving baby kangaroos, echidnas or orphaned birds two hourly feeds throughout the day and night can only be described as commitment and dedication to our wildlife.
“To this end, $15,000 has been provided to 21 carers or carer groups to buy essential equipment such as holding cages and incubation boxes.”
Mrs Edwardes said most of the conservation grant funding was provided in direct grants to community groups for general conservation work throughout the State.
“The diversity of applications for funding demonstrates the complexity of environmental management in WA,” she said.
“Around 57 projects from Kununurra in the East Kimberley to Esperance on the south coast have received funding.
“Projects range from conserving rainforest and developing regional herbaria to on-ground rehabilitation of bushland, monitoring and weed control.”
Mrs Edwardes said she was especially pleased to see so many applications for the grants this year from schools throughout the State.
“The future of conservation is in the awareness and involvement of young Western Australians and it is encouraging to see so many interested in doing something for their local environment,” she said.
“Another positive aspect is that urban schools have established linkages to rural areas for planting trees. Not only does this help in the fight to reverse rural environmental problems, it also raises the awareness of the urban population to rural issues.”
Mrs Edwardes said grants totalling some $75,000 were also provided funding to major environmental organisations to help them with specific projects as part of their larger environmental initiatives.
These groups included the Conservation Council of Western Australia, Urban Bushland Council, Greenskills, Moore Catchment Group and the Malleefowl Preservation Group.
“With the continued assistance of organisations such as these and the overwhelming support and dedication of community groups we can be assured that much is being done to conserve our environment for future generations,” the Minister said.
Media contacts:
Steve Manchee (Minister) on 9421 7777;
Dr Ken Atkins (CALM) 9334 0425.
