The Andrews Labor Government is supporting the protection of Victoria’s precious ecosystems by investing in grassroot volunteer groups – supporting on-going environmental work and getting new initiatives off the ground.

Minister for Environment and Climate Change Lily D’Ambrosio announced more than $558,000 for volunteer projects that reinvigorate our green spaces as part of the Volunteering Innovation Fund and Volunteering Growth Fund.

More than 50 volunteer groups will share in the funds, helping them continue vital environmental projects, bring innovative new ideas to life and attract new volunteers.

Successful volunteer groups come from all over Victoria, from the Glenbervie Stationeers increasing biodiversity in Melbourne’s inner north-west to the Threatened Species Conservancy in the Otways for a bird monitoring course for local volunteers that will be used to upskill the local community to monitor native birds.

Recipient ‘For Wild Places’ received funds to encourage trail runners in Melbourne and regional Victoria to pick up rubbish on their route and explore options to design and develop a sustainable rubbish collection bag that will help their runners safely pick up rubbish.

Phillip Island Nature Parks is being supported to build a brighter future by empowering young people to improve and restore habitats at Phillip Island.

The Port Phillip EcoCentre received the Minister’s Choice Award for its Baywide Data Pioneers project -bringing together five volunteer groups to map out sandy coast habitat across Port Phillip Bay to better understand the coastline in the face of climate change and growing infrastructure.

Volunteers play an important role in protecting the state’s environment as well as encouraging Victorians to get out into the community and enjoy nature.

Round 4 of the Volunteering Innovation Fund is now open. To view full list of grant recipients and projects or apply, visit parks.vic.gov.au/vif.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change Lily D’Ambrosio

“Congratulations to these creative volunteering groups for finding new ways to engage the community to take action on biodiversity and environmental issues in their neighbourhoods.”

“Volunteers play a vital role in caring for our state and investing in these projects will provide an opportunity for more Victorians to get involved and help conserve these precious places for future generations.”

Volunteering Innovation recipients:

• Belfast Coast Reserve Action Group (BCRAG)
• Canopy Accelerator Co-operative Limited
• Collingwood Children’s Farm
• Earthwatch Institute Australia
• Eco Warriors Australia Inc
• For Wild Places
• Friends of Bunyip State Park
• Friends of Kooyoora Inc.
• Friends of Mount Worth State Park
• Glenbervie Stationeers
• Growling Grass Frog Inc.
• Loddon Plains Landcare Network
• MYCOmmunity Applied Mycology Inc
• Out Doors Inc.
• Phillip Island Nature Parks
• Port Phillip EcoCentre
• Rushworth Events Incorporated
• Span Community House
• The Grassy Plains Network
• Threatened Species Conservancy
• Whittlesea Community Connections
• Yarra Riverkeeper Association Inc