Community groups invited to apply for environmental initiative funding from Horizons Regional Council

Hospice Whanganui has previously used a grant from Horizons for a community planting day.

Horizons Regional Council has $20,000 up for grabs to help with environmental projects.

The council is inviting applications to its community grants programme which supports community groups, schools, early childcare centres and iwi/hapū with not-for-profit projects designed to enhance the region's natural environment.

Applications will be assessed on environmental benefits, feasibility, community involvement and long-term benefits, Horizons chairman Bruce Gordon said.

"In the past we have granted funding to a range of projects such as outdoor classrooms, native tree planting, wetland preservation and trapping predators," Gordon said.

"More often than not we help groups that simply need a little funding to get their projects underway. It's really satisfying to provide this support, as well as expert advice where possible."

Applications that provide opportunities for the public to learn more about the environment and encourage greater use of the region's facilities and amenities would be considered favourably, he said.

"We receive frequent proposals for beautification planting and vegetable gardens. While these are great ideas, they don't focus on engagement with the natural environmental aspect of the programme, so we ask that applicants have a decent read of the grant guidelines."

Last year Horizons funded 12 projects across the region, which received between $670 and $6380 each.

The closing date for applications is 8am on Monday, May 13. More information is available at www.horizons.govt.nz or freephone Horizons on 0508 800 800.