Environmental grants decided

MORE PLANTING: Marton Golf Club chairman Terry Hammond by the wetland. More vegetation will be planted and bird life brought in. PHOTO LIN FERGUSON

Eleven community groups have split $20,000 from the Horizons Regional Council's community grants programme this year.

Set up at the beginning of 2012, the programme supports community groups, schools, early childhood centres and iwi/hapu groups, with projects that enhance the region and encourage more people to engage with the natural environment.

Typically the grants went for tree planting and pest control.

The council receiving 26 applications.

Horizons chief executive Michael McCartney said applications were assessed on environmental benefits, feasibility, community involvement and long-term benefits.

"This year there were a noticeable number of requests for native planting initiatives, as well as applications for plant and pest control, and environmental education," said Mr McCartney.

"Horizons community grants provide a great platform for the public to learn more about the environment and encourage greater use of the region's facilities and amenities. It's also a fantastic way to help these groups get their project off the ground, or enhance what they already have through use of natural resources."

The 11 successful applicants were awarded either part or full funding, and included charitable trusts, a school, an educational facility, and local community groups. They were:
• Raetihi Promotions Charitable Trust - native planting
• Waimarino A&P Association - native planting and spraying
• Dream Makers Trust - pest environmental education
• Marton Golf Club Inc - native planning
• Natural Heritage Mangaweka - animal pest control
• Bulls River Users Group - plant pest control
• Rangitikei College - native planting
• Rangiwahia Environmental Arts Centre Trust Inc - native planting
• Wildbase Recovery Community Trust - native planning
• Ahu Whenu Trust - native planting and fencing
• Te Ripo Kokohuia - native planting
Applications for the next round of funding will open in 2017.
For further information on community grants go to horizons.govt.nz or phone Horizons on 0508 800 800.