In October the Minister for Climate Change and the Environment, Frank Sartor, announced $1.5 million in grants to support three major environmental programs covering 80 individual projects across the state.
In the latest round of grants from the Environmental Trust, almost $1 million has been awarded to eight separate research projects run by academic institutions and scientific organisations.
'These projects cover research goals from biological control of the invasive weed mistflower to the impact of climate change on marine life,' Mr Sartor said.
'One of the larger studies being conducted by the University of Wollongong will aim to predict future bushfire behaviour by modelling changes in bushfire fuels caused by climate change. This project has received almost $200,000 in funding. $350,000 is also being provided to 12 Aboriginal communities under the Trust's Protecting Our Places Program. These grants provide Aboriginal organisations funds to rehabilitate or restore Aboriginal land or land that is culturally significant, and to educate about the value Aboriginal communities place on their natural environment.'
Sixty NSW schools will also each receive $2,500 under the 'Eco Schools' program to help develop and implement important environmental and sustainability projects. The 'Eco Schools' program provides grants to schools to develop environmental management projects that will benefit students, teachers and the local community. The students learn first hand about the recycling of organic nutrients, how to grow food, water conservation, and the establishment of ecosystems that help to support other important plants and animals within the school environment.
The Environmental Trust is an independent statutory body established by the NSW Government to fund a broad range of organisations undertaking projects that enhance the environment of NSW. By providing funding for innovative research, restoration and community education, the Trust contributes to NSW State Plan targets including:
- protecting native vegetation, biodiversity, land, rivers and coastal waterways
- reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 2050
- reducing waste.