Bring your environmental project to life! Here you can find out more about the Environment Canterbury Biodiversity Fund and its eligibility and assessment criteria. Links to further information and an application form are also located here. There is also a link to information on the Honda TreeFund.
The Environment Canterbury Biodiversity Fund has recently been reviewed so that it integrates better with other biodiversity priorities and is more flexible.
- Projects to protect areas that already have high biodiversity value, such as fencing an area of native bush, will have the highest priority. Projects that enhance or restore areas or entirely new projects will also be considered based on each projects potential biodiversity gains.
- The maximum grant allocation for a single project has been substantially increased to $20,000 (up from $5000) and the proposal is to protect areas of high existing biodiversity value. The proportion of project costs funded can be up to two thirds for projects that protect high priority biodiversity areas. A landowner contribution will be required but this may be in in-kind contributions.
- For grants of over $10,000, a mechanism for long term protection, such as a covenanting agreement is strongly preferred.
- Any biodiversity funding can, as before, cover material costs for a project, but now also allows the labour costs to be included as part of the applicant contribution.
- Applications can now be received all year round, with applications being considered in late September and February. Very strong applications may receive immediate funding.
For all projects, a management plan will be agreed between Environment Canterbury and successful applicants.