Environmental fund opens

For immediate release: Friday 18 June 2004

Working on an environmental project and need help with the next step? Have a brilliant plan but no money to get it off the ground? If so, you should consider applying to Environment Bay of Plenty’s Environmental Enhancement Fund, which opens for applications on Monday 21 June.

Chairman John Cronin says the council is looking for “exciting and innovative” projects that help to promote, enhance or protect the natural or historic character of the environment, access to it or people’s understanding of it.

That covers a huge range of possibilities. “We urge people to think creatively. It’s a great opportunity for those who care about their local environment to really do something practical about it.”

Individuals and iwi, community groups and businesses, schools and district councils can all apply, with about $500,000 for community and district council projects this year.

Now in its fifth year, the fund last year awarded a total of $900,000 to nearly 50 projects. They included a harbour clean up by divers, pest control to protect native orchids, and a recycling centre at Te Kaha.

Application forms are available from Environment Bay of Plenty’s offices in Whakatane, Rotorua and Tauranga and are posted on www.envbop.govt.nz. The deadline for applications is August 20.

If you want to find out more about the Environmental Enhancement Fund, or are considering applying for it, talk to fund coordinator Jillian Houghton on 0800 368 267.

ENDS

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