INT | VISION OPP: WIRES and Landcare Australia announce $1millionpartnership to support regeneration of wildlife habitat impacted by bushfire
WIRES and Landcare Australia have joined forces in a landmark $1millionpartnership supporting recovery of wildlife habitats impacted by bushfire anddrought across Australia.
Facilitated by unprecedented public appeals and donations, the WIRES LandcareWildlife Relief and Recovery Grants will provide eligible local Landcareenvironment networks and community groups access to grant funding of up to$20,000 to maximise and coordinate restoration projects.
As the country continues to face an international health pandemic, vitalrelief programmes for bushfire-affected habitats have been delayed ortemporarily halted. The WIRES Landcare Wildlife Relief and Recovery Grantswill support the planning and subsequent implementation of vital regenerationprojects for vulnerable native species, whose populations were decimated, someto the point of extinction.
INT | VISION OPPORTUNITY: Blue Mountains Koala Project – a citizen sciencegroup dedicated to the health of surviving koala populations in Blue Mountainsand Kanangra-Boyd National Parks, both heavily impacted by bushfire, is oneorganisation applying for support through the WIRES Landcare Wildlife Reliefand Recovery Grants. Focused on a number of regeneration activities includingnative species replanting, rehabilitated koala release and communityengagement, Blue Mountains Koala Project is one of a wide-range of eligiblelocal Landcare environment networks and community groups across the countryworking on significant habitat restoration for vulnerable species.
The WIRES Landcare Wildlife Relief and Recovery Grants is a ground-breakingalliance between two not-for-profits who have been part of the fabric of localcommunities for over 30 years.
The largest wildlife rescue organisation in the country, WIRES rescues andrehabilitates native animals. They are also working on a range of relief andrecovery plans to implement the best solutions to assist surviving wildlifeand ensure the survival of remaining animals.
Landcare Australia supports the Landcare grassroots movement of individualsand groups who have a shared vision to restore and protect the environment inlocal communities through sustainable land management and conservationactivities.
WIRES CEO Leanne Taylor said this partnership with Landcare Australia marksthe beginning of a powerful union, committed to protecting and preservingAustralian wildlife, habitat and local communities from the effects of climatechange and extreme natural disasters.
Leanne said: “This partnership between Landcare Australia and WIRES is animportant step towards the restoration and recovery of Australian wildlife andlandscapes deeply scarred by the unparalleled impacts of bushfires anddrought.”
Welcoming the new partnership, Landcare Australia CEO Dr Shane Norrish saidthe grants program will improve outcomes for wildlife support and associatedhabitat rehabilitation projects.
Dr Norrish said: “Through partnerships like this, Landcare Australia isgetting on with the job of providing funding to local groups quickly andhelping to drive and coordinate national bushfire and drought response withtargeted high-priority actions, which are delivered on the ground by locals
Dr Norrish added: “For over 30 years, WIRES has actively rehabilitated andpreserved Australian wildlife and inspired others to do the same. Now WIRESare funding community-led protection of habitat by actively supportingLandcare groups and networks, and other environmental community groups toimprove the outcomes for wildlife and biodiversity.”
Applications for grants will remain open until April 30 with successfulapplicants notified late May.
Landcare Australia will be considering applications from:
• Landcare groups, networks, or community environmental organisationsundertaking works in an area affected by drought or bushfire in 2019 or 2020;
• Projects that are directly-related to the implementation of bushfire ordrought-related wildlife recovery activities including;
o post fire habitat restoration/creation projects
o installation and monitoring nest boxes
o revegetation of habitat and food trees for native fauna
Species the grant program aims to assist include:
• Threatened Glossy Black Cockatoo
• Sugar Glider
• Greater Glider
• Brush-Tailed Rock Wallaby
• Koala
• Kookaburra
• Regent Honeyeater
• Rosellas
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