Sixteen community groups have been given funding under Horizons Regional Council's community grants programme.
Seven to benefit are groups in Wanganui, Ruapehu and Rangitikei.
They include Springvale Playcentre, which will put the money towards native planting of creating gardens on the centre's grounds.
The community grants programme was set up at the beginning of 2012 to support community groups, schools, early childhood centres and iwi/hapu groups, with projects that enhance the region and encourage people to engage with the environment. Some $20,000 was up for grabs, with the council receiving requests totalling over $75,000.
"Every year the number of applications increases and finalising successful applicants becomes more difficult for our grants committee," communications manager Kate Ritani said.