Community Environment Fund (2020)

The Community Environment Fund supports community groups to restore, maintain and protect native ecosystems.

This round of funding is for projects in Te Awarua-o-Porirua Harbour and surrounding catchment area - from Churton Park to Pukerua Bay and inland of Pauatahanui.

Apply to this fund if you have a project in this area that will improve ecosystems, benefit the harbour, involve the wider community, and spread the word about the importance of your work.

Who can apply?

Volunteer community groups can apply for funding to support environmental projects that are:

• Located within Te Awarua-o-Porirua Harbour and surrounding catchment areas (shown in the map below)
• On public land, for example: council reserves, Department of Conservation land and some stream margins

What can funding be used for?

Groups can apply for up to $10,000 each year for up to three years, to fund:

• Native plants, plant protectors and fertiliser
• Materials to grow your own native plants
• Tools
• Pest plant control
• Pest animal control
• Refreshments for working bees

This fund is not for paying salaries or wages of people involved in the project.

Find out about other projects that have been supported by this fund.

What would a successful application look like?

Priority will be given to projects that will:

• Enhance the health of local ecosystems including native plants and animals around the harbour and catchment area (e.g., providing habitats for key species)
• Reduce threats to the harbour and surrounding ecosystems (e.g., stopping sediment washing in to streams and the harbour and managing pest plants and animals)
• Involve the wider community in the project and raise environmental awareness  (e.g., involving schools and other groups)
• Be achievable and have a plan to maintain the project once completed

Key dates

Applications open – Monday 17 August

Applications close – extended to 5pm Monday 5 October

Successful applications announced – by Monday 9 November

How to apply

We have experienced some technical difficulties with our online application form. Please email your application, and any additional photos, maps or other supporting information to biodiversity@gw.govt.nz by 5pm Monday 5 October.

All successful applicants will need to complete a short restoration plan and a brief annual report on how the allocated funds were spent and what was achieved.

Email us now.

Community Environment Fund Application

Your privacy is important to us. We need the information below for the purposes of managing the service you are applying for. We will not use it or disclose it for any other purpose unless permitted to, by you, or other laws. For more information, read our full Privacy Statement.

Please include in your email

• Name of the group
• Name of the project
• Location of the project
• Contact person (name, email, phone)
• Project description (In your description, please include an overview of the aim(s) of the project and what it involves)
• How will this project benefit the harbour?
• Who else is involved or supporting this project? (e.g. community groups, tangata whenua, schools, businesses, service clubs or your local city council)
• How will this project raise awareness of the environment in your community?
• Who will look after the project when it is completed?
• Length of project funding requested for each year

Help to plan your project

Contact us if you need advice on your project, such as the best plant species for your site and how to control pest plants and animals.

More information

For more information, or to discuss your application, email Jo Fagan at biodiversity@gw.govt.nz.