Deadline: 28-Feb-25
The Ashburton District Council is inviting applications for the Biodiversity Grant to assist projects that aim to protect and/or enhance biodiversity in the district.
Funding Information
- The maximum individual grant available is $7,500 and can be no more than 50% of the total project cost. The applicant’s share of the project’s costs includes volunteer time, donated/gifted goods and services and/or financial contributions. Volunteer time shall be estimated using the minimum wage at the time of the application.
Funding Priority
- The fund is contestable and each application will be assessed on its merits on a case by case basis. Council will prioritise applications that meet one or more of the following funding priorities:
- Projects that will achieve positive biodiversity outcomes.
- Sites that have been the subject of an ecological assessment by a suitably qualified ecologist or biodiversity specialist;
- Sites that have ongoing and legally binding protection, such as a QEII open space covenant;
- Sites within areas of significant conservation values (ASCV) in the District Plan;
- Projects with a purpose of habitat protection or restoration;
- Initiatives or projects that will enhance environmental education or school programmes in the District.
Ineligible Projects
- The following projects are ineligible for Biodiversity Grant Funding:
- Beautification/ landscape/shelter belt planting;
- Purchasing of capital items such as motorbikes, trailers, spray units, and tools;
- Projects that generate profit or are for commercial gain;
- Projects which are required by or are the responsibility of a government agency.
Eligibility Criteria
- Applicants must be:
- Based in the Ashburton District.
- Applications from a national organisation must be made from the local branch of that organisation.
- Applications will only be accepted on the completed Biodiversity Application form.
- Incomplete applications that do not provide all of the requested information will be excluded from funding assessment.
- All Biodiversity projects must meet the following criteria:
- Aim to protect, maintain and/or restore biodiversity.
- Be within Ashburton District boundaries (between the Rangitata and Rakaia Rivers’).
- Based in the Ashburton District & the event must take place between 30 June 2023 to1 July 2024.
- Applications from a national organisation must be made from the local branch of that organisation.
- Applications will only be accepted on the completed Biodiversity Application form.
- Incomplete applications that do not provide all of the requested information will be excluded from funding assessment.
Assessment Considerations
- The degree to which the project will improve, protect, benefit, enhance, restore or reinstate indigenous biodiversity;
- The biodiversity values of the area to which the project relates, including such things as representativeness, distinctiveness, rarity, and long term sustainability;
- The degree of current risk or threat to the biodiversity values being restored, enhanced, protected or maintained as a result of the project;
- Evidence of the applicant’s commitment to the project, particularly if it is a long term project;
- The degree of on-going and legally binding protection provided to the project site,
- The use of eco-sourced native plants for planting projects.
For more information, visit Ashburton District Council.