Community Stewardship Grants for Natural Resource Management (Australia)

The Community Stewardship Grants 2026 support community-led environmental and natural resource management projects across Western Australia. Funded by the State NRM Program, the initiative provides $7 million to protect ecosystems, improve land and water management, and strengthen biodiversity conservation.

Grants range from $1,000 to $450,000 across small and large funding streams, supporting projects lasting up to 18–36 months. The program prioritizes local stewardship, Aboriginal engagement, and partnerships between communities, government, and industry.

Overview

The Community Stewardship Grants 2026 are a Western Australian Government funding program delivered through the State Natural Resource Management (NRM) Program under the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development.

The program supports community-led projects that protect, restore, and sustainably manage natural environments across Western Australia.

It emphasizes local action, volunteer engagement, and collaborative partnerships to achieve long-term environmental outcomes.

Total Funding and Grant Streams

Total funding available (2026): $7 million
Funding authority: Western Australian Government
Delivery program: State NRM Program

Grant Streams

Small Grants

Funding range: $1,000 to $50,000
Project duration: Up to 18 months
Purpose: Local, community-based environmental initiatives

Large Grants

Funding range: $50,001 to $450,000
Project duration: Up to 36 months
Purpose: Complex, large-scale environmental restoration and management projects

Application Limits

Organisations may submit multiple applications
Maximum awards:
- 1 large grant per organisation
- 2 small grants per organisation

Key Objectives of the Program

The Community Stewardship Grants aim to:

Improve sustainable land management practices
Protect and restore water ecosystems such as wetlands and groundwater systems
Conserve marine and coastal environments
Support biodiversity protection and recovery
Strengthen community skills and environmental capacity
Engage Aboriginal communities in stewardship activities
Improve environmental planning and coordinated action

Priority Environmental Outcomes

The program focuses on six core outcome areas:

1. Sustainable Land Management

Regenerative agriculture
Soil health improvement
Sustainable farming practices

2. Water Resource Protection

Wetland conservation
Estuary health improvement
Groundwater system protection

3. Marine and Coastal Conservation

Climate resilience for coastal ecosystems
Marine biodiversity protection
Coastal habitat restoration

4. Biodiversity Conservation

Native species protection
Ecosystem restoration
Habitat recovery initiatives

5. Community Capacity Building

Volunteer training and engagement
Skills development in land and environmental management
Aboriginal community participation

6. Environmental Planning and Coordination

Strategic environmental planning
Integrated land and water management
Partnership development across sectors

Eligible Applicants

Eligible applicants must be incorporated not-for-profit organisations with an Australian Business Number (ABN), including:

Aboriginal community organisations
Incorporated associations
Not-for-profit companies or trusts
Landcare and NRM groups
Recognised Biosecurity Groups
Land Conservation District Committees
Local government authorities
Primary and secondary schools

Program Approach and Principles

The program is built on community stewardship principles:

Locally driven environmental solutions
Strong volunteer involvement
Integration of traditional and scientific knowledge
Collaboration across government, industry, and community
Long-term environmental sustainability
Place-based natural resource management

Eligible Project Types

Funded projects may include:

Land restoration and rehabilitation
Coastal and marine ecosystem protection
Wetland and river system restoration
Biodiversity monitoring and conservation
Community training and capacity building
Aboriginal-led environmental initiatives
Sustainable agriculture and land use projects
Environmental planning and coordination activities

Application Process

Step 1: Prepare Application

Applicants define project objectives aligned with one or more priority outcomes.

Step 2: Access SmartyGrants Portal

Applications must be submitted via the online SmartyGrants platform.

Step 3: Select Grant Stream

Applicants choose between small or large grants depending on project scope.

Step 4: Submission

Applications include:

Project description and objectives
Environmental outcomes and alignment
Budget and timeline
Community involvement details
Partnership information

Step 5: Assessment

Applications are evaluated based on:

Environmental impact and relevance
Alignment with priority outcomes
Community engagement and stewardship
Feasibility and project design
Value for money and sustainability
Inclusion of Aboriginal and local knowledge

Step 6: Funding Decision

Successful applicants receive funding based on stream category.

Key Selection Criteria

Applications are assessed on:

Environmental and ecological benefit
Contribution to biodiversity and ecosystem health
Strength of community involvement
Capacity to deliver measurable outcomes
Partnership and collaboration quality
Alignment with State NRM priorities
Long-term sustainability of results

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Weak alignment with environmental priority outcomes
Lack of clear ecological impact metrics
Poorly defined community involvement
Submitting projects without strong stewardship focus
Ignoring Aboriginal engagement opportunities
Unrealistic budgets or timelines

Tips for a Strong Application

Clearly link your project to one or more of the six priority outcomes
Demonstrate measurable environmental improvements
Highlight strong community and volunteer involvement
Include Aboriginal knowledge and participation where possible
Show clear, realistic delivery timelines
Emphasize long-term sustainability and legacy impact

Why the Community Stewardship Grants Matter

The program plays a key role in environmental protection in Western Australia by:

Restoring and protecting ecosystems
Strengthening biodiversity conservation efforts
Supporting climate resilience in coastal and land systems
Empowering local communities and volunteers
Integrating Indigenous knowledge into environmental management
Building long-term sustainability in natural resource use

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What is the total funding available?

A total of $7 million is available in 2026.

2. What are the grant sizes?

Small grants range from $1,000–$50,000 and large grants range from $50,001–$450,000.

3. Who can apply?

Incorporated not-for-profit organisations with an ABN, including community groups, schools, local governments, and Aboriginal organisations.

4. How long do projects last?

Up to 18 months for small grants and up to 36 months for large grants.

5. How many applications can an organisation submit?

Multiple applications are allowed, but only one large and two small grants can be awarded per organisation.

6. What platform is used for applications?

Applications are submitted through the SmartyGrants platform.

7. What are the main focus areas?

Land, water, marine environments, biodiversity, community capacity building, and environmental planning.

Conclusion

The Community Stewardship Grants 2026 support Western Australian communities in delivering impactful environmental and conservation projects. By funding grassroots stewardship, biodiversity protection, and sustainable land and water management, the program strengthens long-term ecological resilience while empowering local communities and Aboriginal groups to lead environmental action.