The Andrews Labor Government is providing more than $2.8 million to help support community volunteers and young people protecting Victoria’s biodiversity.

Minister for Environment Lily D’Ambrosio joined Member for Eltham Vicki Ward at Eltham Woods Preschool to announce 180 successful grant recipients across Victoria.

As part of the 2018 Victorian Junior Landcare and Biodiversity Grants, funding will be provided to 109 environmental projects at Victorian schools, kindergartens, preschools, childcare centres and other groups.

The new initiative, to be delivered in partnership with Landcare Australia, will encourage the next generation of young people to care for Victoria’s natural environment.

The 2018 Community and Volunteer Action Grants will also enable 73 projects to be delivered by community-based and not-for-profit conservation groups to monitor wildlife and native plants, protect habitat for threatened species, replant indigenous vegetation, and educate the community.

Funding will support a range of activities to help protect, improve and expand habitats for Victoria’s native plants and animals and achieve targets set in the Labor Government’s biodiversity plan, Biodiversity 2037 – Protecting Victoria’s Environment.

For more information on the grant recipients, visit environment.vic.gov.au.

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

“These grants will help volunteers across Victoria restore and improve habitats for our native plants and animals.”

“As part of this program, young people will be able to venture into the wild and help protect their local environment.”

Quotes attributable to Member for Eltham Vicki Ward

“This funding will assist our hard-working volunteers and community groups to continue caring for our natural environment.”

“The Junior Landcare grant will help the children at Eltham Woods Preschool build upon their fantastic work.”