Minister for the Environment and the Great Barrier Reef and Minister for Science and Youth Affairs

The Honourable Meaghan Scanlon

The Palaszczuk Government has announced grants of up to $25,000 for community-led projects aimed at protecting threatened animals and plants.

Making the announcement on National Threatened Species Day, Environment Minister Meaghan Scanlon said local land care groups, NRM groups, First Nations organisations, non-government organisations and universities were eligible to apply.

“Queensland is home to thousands of native fauna and flora – they’re big part of our a great lifestyle. And it’s why we need to protect those particularly vulnerable species,” Minister Scanlon said.  

Minister Scanlon said it built on close to $40 million locked in during this year’s budget for koalas and other threatened species across the state.

“We know groups across the state are build on the work the Palaszczuk Government, Indigenous Land and Sea Rangers, land care groups and universities are rolling out.

“Funding is on the table for things like habitat restoration, surveys and mapping and education programs that will drive real change for our threatened species.

Queensland is recognised internationally for its enormous global biodiversity, being home to thousands of species of national and global significance.

This includes around 85 per cent of Australia’s mammals, 72 per cent of native birds, and more than 50 per cent of native reptiles and frogs.

Funding will be provided for species listed as ‘threatened’ in the Commonwealth Government’s Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 or the Queensland Government’s Nature Conservation Act 1992.

It’s part of the Palaszczuk Government’s broader Community Sustainability Action Grants, which has given more than 526 projects $21.2 million in funding since it started in 2016.

“The grant program provides vital funding to eligible organisations for innovative solutions that aim to address climate change, protect our unique wildlife and conserve our natural and built environment.

“These projects have protected our important heritage buildings, prevented tonnes of rubbish entering the environment, provided protection for our threatened species and will help us reach zero net emissions by 2050.”

To apply or for more information head to www.qld.gov.au/csagrants

Video grabs available here: https://bit.ly/3TODjyP

ENDS

Media contact: Francis Dela Cruz – 0420 592 078