Horizons' community grants funding spread across region

Twelve community groups from across the Manawatū-Whanganui region are to receive funding for their projects under Horizons Regional Council’s community grants programme.

Set up at the beginning of 2012, the programme was established to support community groups, schools, early childhood centres and iwi/hapū groups, with projects that enhance the region’s natural resources and encourage more people to engage with the natural environment.

This year, $21,384 was up for grabs, with Council receiving 27 applications asking for over $40,000 in total. Due to the large number of applicants and worthy projects, the grants fund was supported with an additional $8,520 from Horizons’ community biodiversity projects budget.

Horizons chair Bruce Gordon says applications were assessed on environmental benefits, feasibility, community involvement and long-term benefits.

“This year there were a noticeable number of requests for native planting and wetland restoration initiatives, as well as applications for plant and animal pest control,” says Mr Gordon.

“Horizons community grants provide a great platform for the public to learn more about the environment and encourage greater use of the region’s facilities and amenities. It’s also a fantastic way to help these groups get their project off the ground, or enhance what they already have through the sustainable use of natural resources.”

This year twelve successful applicants were awarded either part or full funding, and included a charitable trust, schools and preschools, educational groups, and local community groups:

• Bulls River Users Group - Native planting and weed control
• Kaitieke School – Wetland and track improvements
• Progress Castlecliff Inc. – Weed control, native plants and maintenance costs
• Te One Bush Restoration Project – Animal pest control
• Kimbolton School – Animal pest control monitoring
• Kai Iwi School – Outdoor classroom and forest area
• Matipo Community Development Charitable Trust – Completion of a propagation greenhouse and purchasing equipment
• Puddleducks’ Montessori Preschool – Wetland restoration
• Milson Scout Troop – Animal pest control
• Timona Park Orchard Trust – Wetland restoration, weed control and native planting
• South Makirikiri School – Native planting
• Mount Biggs School – Walking track creation

All projects are to be completed by June 2019, with applications for the next round of funding opening in April 2019.

For further information on community grants please visit www.horizons.govt.nz or phone Horizons on freephone 0508 800 800.