Landcare Grants bolster grassroots efforts in nature conservation

Jindivick Landcare Group has received a $17,500 grant from Melbourne Water to inspire conservation efforts and mobilise the community to hunt for and document giant trees on farms and bushland.

It is one of several local grants delivered by Melbourne Water to Landcare groups to support community-led initiatives to restore, enhance and protect local natural landscapes.

Additionally, 10 other local groups each received support grant of up to $500 to help cover insurance and registration costs.

The groups included Friends of Mount Worth State Park, Allambee Community Landcare Group, Baw Baw Shire West Gippsland Seedbank Association, Mountain Rivers Landcare Group, Friends of Land and Water Baw Baw Shire, Tanjil Valley Landcare Group, Latrobe Catchment Landcare Network, Mount Worth and District Landcare Network, Cardinia West Gippsland Equine Landcare Group and Poowong-Triholm Landcare Group.

"Through the Landcare Grants program, we are committed to supporting grassroots efforts that align with local waterway health and biodiversity goals," said Melbourne Water regional Landcare co-ordinator Barry Kennedy.

"In recent years, we have noticed a growing number of applicants focus on bringing in new volunteers and demonstrating Landcare's role in supporting local ecosystems, parks, waterways and native plants and animals."

For 40 years and counting, Landcare has been championing the protection and restoration of land and the environment close to local communities. It tackles a variety of localised environmental challenges such as pests, weeds and soil degradation.

"From indigenous planting events and community workshops, to conservation education and field days, Landcare connects thousands of Victorians through a shared commitment to care for our land and waterways," Mr Kennedy said.