A total of $4.4 million in grants is on offer to help volunteers and the next generation of Victorians in caring for the state’s precious environment and biodiversity, thanks to the Andrews Labor Government

Minister for Environment Ingrid Stitt today announced the opening of two rounds of grants – the 2023 Victorian Landcare Grants and the 2023 Victorian Junior Landcare and Biodiversity Grants.

Through the Victorian Landcare Grants, environmental volunteer groups can apply for up to $20,000 for on-ground works and community education projects that protect or improve the natural environment, including native vegetation and wildlife, waterways and soils.

Grants of up to $500 are also available to help with group and network administration and running costs.

The Victorian Landcare Grants are open to environmental volunteer groups, including Landcare groups and networks, Friends groups, Conservation Management Networks, Committees of Management, Coastcare groups and Aboriginal groups, to support their work in helping protect the health of Victoria’s natural environment.

More than 200 projects were funded through last year’s grants, including rehabilitation of wetland near Anglesea, monitoring and maintenance of nest boxes for sugar gliders and brush-tailed phascogales and the planting of thousands of Indigenous plants to in East Gippsland.

Victorian childcare centres, kindergartens, primary and secondary schools, Scouts, Girl Guides and youth groups can apply for grants of up to $5,000.

Past funded projects include planting Indigenous gardens, building habitat to attract native insects and birds, collecting data about nature and excursions to wildlife sanctuaries.

For more information and to apply, visit www.environment.vic.gov.au/grants