The Otago Regional Council will give more than $1 million to nearly 30 community-led environmental projects.
ECO Fund assessment panel chairman Alan Somerville said the community effort and commitment was inspiring.
The fund was oversubscribed and some very good projects missed out on funding.
Of the original 69 applicants this year seeking a total $2.87 million, 28 were shortlisted, which would receive $1,059,178
The funding supported community-driven projects, which protected, enhanced and promoted Otago’s environment, Cr Somerville said.
This year the fund had supported a wide range of projects: control of wilding conifers, sycamores and willows, rabbits and predators; weed clearance and native planting; programmes to upskill volunteers in trapping and monitoring; and helping schools with restoration projects.
"We’ve funded groups with a proven track record, but also some first-time applicants."
Three of the projects are in Clutha, five in Central Otago, 10 in Dunedin, eight in Queenstown Lakes and one each in Waitaki and North Otago.
Four large-scale biodiversity projects share $450,000, nine general projects share $348,001, three sustained rabbit management projects share $100,000, seven biodiversity enhancement projects on protected private land share $99,757, one project for critical source area management on private land gets $15,000 and four projects for weed removal and revegetation share $46,420.— APL
