13/05/2006
- Over 100 private and community projects enhancing
biodiversity throughout New Zealand have been
allocated government grants totalling $1.3 million,
it was announced today.
Environment Minister David Benson-Pope
made the announcement while visiting Otago's Yellew-eyed
Penguin Trust, who received $52,000 in new funding
to help save the penguin by restoring coastal
forest and controlling predators.
The grants are made under the
government's Biodiversity Condition and Advice
Funds and supports 104 projects involving 771
landowners and community groups working on private
land initiatives.
"There is a huge amount
of enthusiasm by private landowners and community
groups to enhance and protect areas of native
flora and fauna, and it’s fantastic to be able
to support these initiatives," said Mr Benson-Pope.
“Many of the fragmented areas
of native bush and wetland habitats now only exist
on private land. The Biodiversity Condition and
Advice funds provide landowners and interested
community groups with resources to look after
these areas for future generations.
"I congratulate the Yellow-eyed
Penguin Trust, who are saving the Yellow-eyed
penguin by restoring coastal forest and controlling
predators. While the penguin is the Trust's focus
their efforts also benefit other native species
of plants and animals."
Conservation Minister Chris
Carter says grants include 41 fencing projects,
which will protect forests, wetlands, coastal
habitat and river margins. Other projects focus
on pest management and trapping programmes, and
private landowner education.
“These projects will assist
in protecting some of New Zealand’s iconic species,
including kiwi, Hutton’s shearwater, kokako and
even some of our native fish,” said Mr Carter.
“Twenty-three projects focus
on restoration of wetlands, which is of great
importance nationally, since New Zealand has lost
90 percent of its wetland areas in only 150 years.”
Both Ministers say they are
impressed with the action being taken on private
land, and are pleased to support such commitment
to New Zealand's unique environment.
"That commitment is shown
in the voluntary labour, the cash and in-kind
contributions these groups and individuals are
making themselves. When this is considered, the
total combined spending on Biodiversity Fund projects
is around $2.85 million," said Mr Benson-Pope.
The contestable funds were established
under the Government's $187 million Biodiversity
Strategy Package in 2000. The next funding round
is now open for applications.
People should visit www.biodiversity.govt.nz,
or call 0800 86 20 20 for further information.
