Applications for the Department of Conservation community fund are now open and local conservationists are invited to make an expression of interest.
According to a Department of Conservation press release, Bay of Plenty projects had previously been allocated more than $600,000 from the multi-million-dollar fund, with Rotorua projects receiving more than $130,000 from the last round of funding.
"The DOC Community Fund was set up three years ago to distribute $26 million over four years and it continues to make a big difference for many community groups who would have struggled to do their great work without some timely financial help," said Conservation Minister Maggie Barry.
"More than $21 million has already been awarded to 300 different projects in the first three rounds and we're anticipating around $4.15 million will be allocated in Round Four this year."
"Last year's funding supported a wide range of conservation initiatives and included $1 million towards War on Weeds projects and a further million to boost community pest control projects which will support Predator Free 2050 and Battle for Our Birds," she said.