For local communities and landholders
Caring for our Country announced
Caring for our Country is the Government's new natural resource management program. Caring for our Country is designed as an integrated package with one clear goal, a business approach to investment, clearly articulated outcomes and priorities and improved accountability. It will commence on 1 July 2008 and will integrate delivery of the Commonwealth's existing natural resource management programs, the Natural Heritage Trust, the National Action Plan for Salinity and Water Quality, the National Landcare Program, the Environmental Stewardship Program and the Working on Country Indigenous land and environmental program.
Current funding opportunities for community and local projects
The Australian Government provides a range of funding opportunities for individuals and community organisations to address important natural resource issues at a local level.
Environmental Stewardship Programme
$50 million is available over four years for contracts with landholders who can provide environmental services on a cost-effective basis. These contracts will provide incentives through payments to selected farmers and other private land managers to achieve long-term environmental outcomes on their properties.
Who can apply for funding?
Land managers will be selected for participation in the stewardship programme through auction, tender and other market-based mechanisms.
How much funding is available?
$50 million will be made available over four years for projects targeting matters of National Environmental Significance . Contracts will be available for periods of up to 15 years, to allow for the time required by ecological processes to produce an outcome.
Environmental Stewardship Programme Strategic Framework 2007
This document provides a Strategic Framework for the Environmental Stewardship Programme and describes the programme's overarching principles, approaches, outcomes and governance structures.
Further information
Other funding opportunities
Regional natural resource management bodies may provide funds for community and local projects. Check the individual regional web sites for details of funding available.
Information on other Australian Government funding support for individuals, communities and businesses is provided at
Other sources of funding
Key
Links to another web site
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