The fund is open from 1 June to 31 August each year and funding is announced that December.

Download the application form, fill it in on-screen, then print, sign and post it in to us. 

If you are interested in applying for recognition only, please use our contact form to e-mail Phil McGuigan or phone 0800 EC INFO (0800 324 636) during business hours.

Information about the funding process

Criteria for funding

• Ecological context: projects must provide a benefit to indigenous biodiversity and play an important role in the health of the wider ecosystem long-term.
• Representativeness: the extent to which an area represents a habitat type or ecosystem that is typical of the area concerned.
• Land ownership: proposed projects should generally be on private, customary or coastal land. The project will be, where practical, on private land or land which is defined under the Te Ture Whenua Maori Act 1993 as customary land. Activities proposed for coastal sites, however, may be excluded from this clause. Native plantings led by a community group may be excluded from this clause. 
• Project leadership: proposed projects, which will be undertaken by groups, need identified leadership.
• Geographic spread: the aim will be to ensure a fair distribution of projects across the Canterbury region.
• Eligibility: Only individuals or groups proposing environmentally sustainable projects are eligible. The fund cannot directly support research projects or beautification projects. The fund cannot directly support projects that generate personal or commercial profits or compensate individuals. The fund cannot support projects that are a government, local authority or other public body (such as producer boards) responsibility or requirement. Native plantings led by a community group, however, may be excluded from this clause.

Funding available:

The total funding available for distribution varies each year. Grants will usually be up to $5,000 covering no more that 50% of the project’s material costs. The Environment Enhancement Fund encompasses the following funds:

• Environment Canterbury’s Environment Enhancement Fund
• Honda TreeFund – for planting of native trees on public land.

The Environment Enhancement Fund is kindly supported by Honda TreeFund.  

Who can apply?

Anyone can apply to the Environment Enhancement Fund - individuals, landowners and community, conservation and recreational groups.

When can I apply?

The fund is open for applications from 1 June to 31 August each year. Funding decisions are announced in the following December.

How do I apply?

Funding applications must be made on the Environment Enhancement Fund form. 

What types of projects are eligible for funding?

Projects suitable for contestable funding must clearly benefit indigenous biodiversity and enhance the health of the wider ecosystems in the region.

Examples of projects likely to meet funding criteria:

• Riparian fencing and planting
• Fencing of native bush
• Fencing and planting of wetlands
• Native plantings in public reserves.

Examples of projects not likely to meet funding criteria:

• Landscaping that is not part of a larger biodiversity project
• Projects that generate profit
• Projects which are required by a government agency or local authority
• Research projects.

What types of things can be funded?

Various things may be funded, including:

• Purchase of native trees or plants
• Purchase of herbicide or weed mat associated with planting projects
• Purchase of fencing materials
• Hiring of equipment to undertake work that is essential to achieve the outcome of the project where the applicant does not own specialist equipment.

Things that will not be funded include:

• Hiring of labour for tasks which are within the capabilities of the applicant to perform.

Application advice

How is my application assessed?

Once applications close there is a four stage assessment process:

• Stage 1 – All applications are assessed by the Resource Care officers against the Fund's criteria. This committee is made up of Environment Canterbury staff. Those applications which meet the Environment Enhancement Fund criteria or for which more information is required proceed to stage 2.
• Stage 2 – Environment Canterbury Resource Care staff undertake site visits to all projects in Stage 2. These site visits are undertaken from mid-September through October. Officers then prepare a report that is presented to the committee.
• Stage 3 – The committee assesses applications and officers’ reports and ranks all applications in order of priority. Projects are funded in order of priority until all available funding is allocated. The committee then recommends these projects to Council for funding. Those projects that are not funded may be recommended to another section within Environment Canterbury for assistance.
• Stage 4 – The Council considers the committee's recommendations and approves funding and referrals. This usually occurs at the first Council meeting in December.

Characteristics of a successful application

Successful applications in previous years have included a wide variety of projects. Some characteristics of these applications, which you might like to consider when writing your application, are:

• A clear description of the project and the works proposed
• A well prepared project management plan
• A realistic timeline over which the project would be completed
• An outline of the probable maintenance requirements and who would be responsible for these
• A realistic costing for the project.

Can I get advice to help with my application?

Environment Canterbury has several brochures that give you advice on riparian, wetland and native plantings and management. Follow the appropriate link or call Customer Services on 0800 324 636.

Many local nurseries will also be able to assist you with appropriate species selection, number and costs. You should also speak to your nursery about eco-sourcing of plants. Rural supply stores will be able to give you a quote on costs of fencing materials etc.

How am I notified of the outcome of my application?

You will be notified of the outcome of your application by letter in December.

Terms and conditions

The terms and conditions currently outlined on the Fund’s application form are:

1. The Environment Enhancement Fund supports activities that seek to protect and enhance indigenous plants or animals and their habitat, waterways, wetlands and dunes.
2. Only individuals or groups proposing environmentally sustainable projects are eligible. The fund cannot directly support research projects or beautification projects. The fund cannot directly support projects that generate personal or commercial profits or compensate individuals. The fund cannot support projects that are a government, local authority or other public body (such as producer boards) responsibility or requirements. Native plantings led by a community group, however, may be excluded from this clause.
3. The Environment Enhancement Fund usually provides one-off grants up to a maximum of $5,000 for each project. The financial assistance will usually be no more that 50% of a project’s total costs (exclusive of labour). Community based groups may, in some instances, be eligible for part of the project’s labour costs.
4. This form must be returned to Environment Canterbury no later than 31 August. Late applications will not be accepted. Your application will be acknowledged upon receipt. All applicants will be advised of the funding decision by late December each year.
5. Please include, where appropriate, statements of support. An Environment Canterbury sub-committee will determine funding allocations and their decisions will be final.
6. Approval may be subject to conditions.
7. Payment: Environment Canterbury will require successful applications to sign a legal agreement clarifying how funds will be spent.
8. Environment Canterbury reserves the right to publicise details of recipients and projects.
9. The project must be started within 12 months of the grant being approved, and is expected to be completed within two years of the date it was started.
10. An audit of the project will be undertake upon completion.
11. Funding will not be given retrospectively.
12. For all projects where the applicant is not the landowner and does not have the authority to undertake the proposed works a letter of support from the landowner must be provided with the application before funding is released.

Recognition

What is recognition?

Recognition is public acknowledgement of a project’s contribution to the region’s indigenous biodiversity.

What types of projects are eligible for recognition?

All projects that are eligible for funding are also eligible for recognition.

The following projects are eligible for recognition but not funding:

• Research projects
• Projects that are the requirement of government, a local authority or other public body such as producer boards.

How to apply for or nominate a project for recognition

Recognition can be applied for in two ways. Either:

• On the Environment Enhancement Fund application form from June 1 to August 31 each year
  or
• By contacting Environment Canterbury’s Resource Care manager, Phil McGuigan, using our e-mail contact form or phone 0800 324 636.

If you wish to nominate a project for recognition, you should contact Phil McGuigan at the above number with details of the project.

Successful applicants

What happens if I am successful?

You will be notified of the outcome of your application by letter in December. If your application is successful, you will be sent an agreement between yourself and Environment Canterbury that outlines the conditions of the funding. An example of these conditions is shown in the sample agreement below. To claim your funding you must return both copies of the agreement signed and witnessed, along with an invoice for the amount granted (including GST content and your GST number if applicable) to Environment Canterbury.

Environment Canterbury will then return to you a fully signed copy of the agreement and a cheque for the funded amount.

Environment Enhancement Fund agreement

To access the funding, successful applicants must sign an agreement with Environment Canterbury which sets the conditions of the fund. An example of these conditions is shown in the sample agreement.

 Sample agreement (pdf 41 kB)

How do I get paid?

You must first return an invoice for the amount granted (plus the GST content and your GST number if applicable) to Environment Canterbury. This invoice should be made out from the successful applicant to Environment Canterbury for ‘Environment Enhancement Fund grant as detailed in the agreement’. This invoice can be made out as per regular farm or business invoices. The invoice and signed agreements need to be returned to Environment Canterbury no later than 31 March the year following. Successful applicants will then be sent a cheque for the amount granted. The money will be granted to applicants before they have incurred the costs for the project.

Eco-sourcing plants

If your project involves planting, please endeavour to eco-source plants. Eco-sourcing means that the plants have been grown from locally sourced seeds. Eco-sourcing helps to keep the integrity of natural variation within the population and will also increase the chance of your plants surviving in local conditions. Ask your nursery where they collect their seed, not seedlings, from before purchasing any plants – some nurseries will source native seed from the North Island.

Local nurseries, or Environment Canterbury Resource Care Staff, can help you find eco-sourced plants.

Progress updates and project audit

You are required to provide progress updates to Environment Canterbury every 12 months during the project. A form will be sent to you to complete and return once you have had funding for 12 months. You will be required to provide an update of funding spent to date. You are required to inform Environment Canterbury as soon as you finish your project. Once you are completed an officer will visit the project and undertake a project audit. This audit ensures that project objectives have been met and that funding has been spent as per the agreement.

To help with both the progress updates and project audit, and for your records, we suggest:

1.   You keep a record of all the work that has been done on the project using a Record of Works form
2.   Take photos of the project as it progresses
3.   Keep all your receipts (or copies of them) in a single place
4.   Write down your annual maintenance plan for the project once completed.

What if details of my project change?

Sometimes details of projects may change as the project develops – for instance, the location of a fence line may be moved to a more practical location, or planting may be delayed a season because of poor conditions for planting. If you are going to change project details, please contact a Resource Care officer to confirm that these changes are acceptable before proceeding. As long as the changes will not change the overall outcome of the project, then they should not affect your funding.

I have collected the funding but cannot complete the project

If there is some reason that you cannot complete the project for which you have been granted money, you must contact Environment Canterbury Resource Care staff as soon as possible and they will discuss your options with you. If the project has not been started, then you will be required to repay all monies to Environment Canterbury. If the project has been started and some of the money has been spent, then a Resource Care officer will visit the site and discuss whether all or some of the money is to be repaid. If you are selling your property and the next owner is willing to take on the project, then it may be possible to transfer the agreement and remaining monies to them. Please discuss this with a Resource Care officer.

Other sources of funding and support for environmental projects

• The Ministry for the Environment manages several funds that support environmental projects.
• The Biodiversity Condition and Advice Funds are a government initiative to enhance management of indigenous biodiversity outside public conservation lands. This includes areas of native vegetation, wetlands, and the habitats of native fish, birds and other species.
• The QEII National Trust helps landowners protect significant natural and cultural features on their land.
• The Banks Peninsula Conservation Trust aims to generate landowner involvement in sustainable management and conservation that enhances Banks Peninsula’s indigenous biodiversity. BPCT co-ordinator can be contacted on 0508 526 322.
• The New Zealand Landcare Trust support community involvement in sustainable land management. Details can be found at their website or by calling 0508 526 322.

Useful funding databases

• FundView is a database of community funders throughout New Zealand that can be searched according to region/city. The database is a useful source of funding for community groups that also have an environmental focus. Access to FundView is limited to subscribers - but in the Canterbury region there are public FundView sites at which you can search the database free of charge. Many public libraries in the Canterbury region have access to FundView. Further information about FundView can be found on the Funding Information Service website.
• BreakOut is a database containing details of grants, awards and scholarships that are available to individuals - many of these are in the environmental area. You can access the database free of charge at many public libraries and other public BreakOut sites in the Canterbury region. Further information about BreakOut can be found on the Funding Information Service website.