MEDIA RELEASE MARCH 2011

Tapping into Dunedin¹s Future Applications Now Open for the Speight¹s Environment Fund

Proud Dunedin conservationists once again have the opportunity to receive funding for work that will help to preserve and protect Dunedin¹s unique natural environment.

The 2011 Speight¹s Brewery Environment Fund is now open for applications; not-for-profit groups that are passionate about caring for the environment are being encouraged to seek support for their eco-friendly projects.

³Some great projects came out of the woodwork last year, so I¹m excited to see the range and calibre of projects that come forward for this year¹s grant,² says Nigel Smith, Convener of Judges.

Dunedin-based for over 140 years, the Speight¹s Brewery has a strong sense of pride in looking after its home region.

³Being a champion of the little guy, we¹re keen on projects with limited access to funds from other sources - this is why we set up the Environment Fund. We¹re looking for projects that will directly contribute to the conservation of our beautiful region,² adds Chris Snow, Speight¹s Brewery Tour Manager.

Over $55,000 is currently up for grabs this year, with preference given to initiatives concerning the preservation and protection of local water resources.

An annual donation of $25,000 by Speight¹s makes up the base of the Fund (with an additional $20,687 leftover from last year¹s Fund) and the remaining $9,628 coming from donations received for water taken from the Speight¹s Brewery spring-water tap, and the money made from the sale of reusable water bottles at the Speight¹s Brewery Tour store.

Each year people take 1,000,000 litres of water from the Rattray Street tap. If they donated just 10 cents for every litre, over a year this would contribute $100,000 to the Fund.

Last year¹s recipients included the Yellow-Eyed Penguin Trust, Orokonui Eco-Sanctuary and Fish & Game NZ for the Owhiro Stream Enhancement project.

³We want Dunedinites to be proud of their city, and to have the historical Speight¹s Brewery be a part of it,² says Snow.

Applications can be made through the Speight¹s Environment Fund website directly or you can download an application form and email it to applications@speightsfund.co.nz. Applications close 16 April.

www.speightsfund.co.nz

ENDS

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