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01 September 2022, 1:46 PM
Horizons Regional Council is pleased to announce the Pūtea Hapori Urupare Āhuarangi - Community Climate Response Fund grants have been awarded.
The fund is for climate related projects and aims to help non-profit organisations to build community resilience to the effects of climate change, or support the shift to a carbon neutral regional economy. Horizons climate action coordinator Andrew Watt says a total of six projects have been confirmed and finer details are being worked through for a seventh project. “In total $64,250 has been allocated for the year,” says Mr Watt. “There is such a diversity to the projects, yet they all have a climate response focus. Some projects are aimed at education, while others are focused on planting trees for shade and as a source of food. “One project will be recording a video time lapse on how the climate induces change on Moutoa Island on the Whanganui River which will be really interesting to see over time. Overall, I’m really impressed with the both the diversity and innovation of these projects, especially given how COVID-19 has affected communities in the past couple of years. “The four applicants that were unsuccessful were provided with guidance for next year as we could see their projects’ potential and want to continuing encouraging people to respond to climate change.” Horizons chair Rachel Keedwell says she is pleased that Horizons can provide support to communities in an area that is a key focus for the Council. “The more we can engage communities to take action against climate change, in addition to and alongside the wider efforts by local and central government, the better the outcomes and wellbeing for all,” says Cr Keedwell. “We are excited to support these projects and look forward to the ongoing benefits the communities involved will be provided with.” The next round of applications for the Pūtea Hapori Urupare Āhuarangi – Community Climate Repsonse Fund grants open in early 2023. For more information about what grants Horizons has available to community groups please see https://www.horizons.govt.nz/about-our-region-and-council/grants-and-sponsorship Grant Recipients Foxton Beach Wildlife Foxton Trust Volunteers are collecting locally sourced spinifex seeds for germination and growing these to be used for community planting days at Foxton Beach. They expect to be able to guarantee at least 3,500 plants for replanting. Palmerston North Environment Network Manawatū’s Manawatū Food Action Network (MFAN) Collective Collaboration with Growing Gardens and Communities to sustain and expand current work. Their plan is to expand work installing garden beds for those who can’t afford them and to include fruit tree planting alongside gardens in the 4412 postcode area in Palmerston North. Whanganui The ECO School - Nelson & Dani Lebo with Whanganui Learning Centre This project will empower community resilience by sharing local expert knowledge in the areas of whare, whenua, and whanau. Deliver learning opportunities including - eight workshops and presentations & four family events covering a range of topics including improved energy efficiency, increased climate resilience, reduce heat stress, promoting Horizons programmes like riparian plantings, assisting families lowering their carbon footprint, improved consumer choices and active transport. The project is a partnership between The ECO School & The Whanganui Learning Centre and would be available free of charge to the Whanganui community. The Learning Environment A one week summer camp for 20 rangatahi from the Horizons Region at the Pīwakawaka farm, demonstrating climate resilience, covering a variety of climate related topics including climate leadership, mātauaranga Māori, community organising, carbon sequestration and regenerative kai. Trustees of the Moutoa Island Māori Reservation and the Rānana Māori Committee This project uses time-lapsed videography to capture climate induced change to Moutoa Island over two years. This project is part of a broader Deep South science challenge to help restore, revitalise and maintain Moutoa Island on the Whanganui River near Rānana Marae. That broader project also asks if the legal protection framework of the river (including its kawa and its hapū-based understanding of mana motuhake is sufficiently adaptive to climate extremes. Whanganui Intermediate School Environmental Action Club This project will buy and plant native and fruit trees around the school (50 fruit trees). For carbon sequestering, providing a local source of healthy food for students, climate resilience through positioning of trees for shading, biodiversity benefits and educational resource for sustainability and climate action.