MEDIA RELEASE 19 February 2010 Grants awarded to North West land managers and community groups Over $127,000 in grants were awarded today to sixteen land managers and community groups as part of the Cradle Coast Natural Resource Management Devolved Grants Program. The successful applicants each receive up to $15,000 to implement projects that conserve biodiversity, coastal environments, and/or promote sustainable farm practices in North West Tasmania. The grants were awarded by Cradle Coast NRM through funding from the Australian Government’s Caring for our Country initiative and follow a public application process that generated more than thirty‐five submissions from around the region. The successful projects reflect the diversity of the area’s natural environment and include proposals for training volunteers in whale rescue at King Island, weed removal around the Mersey Estuary, native windbreak planting, and a trial of digital imagery technology in monitoring potato crops. Richard Ingram, Executive Officer at Cradle Coast NRM, said that the calibre of applications was high and commended all applicants for their efforts. “There were many great ideas backed by dedicated, enthusiastic land managers and community groups, so while it wasn’t an easy assessment process, we’re confident that the outcomes of these grants will have significant benefits for the natural resources in our region,” Mr Ingram said. Grants were awarded today to deliver: o An Integrated Pest Management workshop for local onion producers o Potato crop monitoring trial using Digital Multispectral Imagery o Habitat restoration at Welcome River o Habitat restoration at Muddy Creek o Volunteer training and revegetation of foreshore reserves between Coles Beach and Mersey Bluff o Habitat protection and enhancement of Mersey River tributaries o Hillside native plant revegetation and shelter belt planting o Orange‐bellied parrot, threatened flora species and water monitoring o Habitat protection of a North Forest creek o Weed control at Tarleton Reserve o Inventory and knowledge sharing of traditional indigenous flora and fauna at Tiagarra and Panatana o Conservation works at Peggs Beach o A controlled traffic drainage management system o Volunteer training and monitoring of the Ptunarra brown butterfly at the Vale of Belvoir o Track stabilisation at Little Henty River Road o Volunteer training and resources for first response whale rescue on King Island. End…
Media photo and interview opportunities: Mr Mick Lehman from Agricultural Resource Management (ARM) can be contacted to discuss the Digital Multispectral Imagery trial project. Contact: 03 6498 6890 or 0419 671 000 Ms Eva Finzel from King Island Natural Resource Management Group can be contacted to discuss the biodiversity and water monitoring project on King Island. Contact: 03 6461 1201 Continued….
Mr Phil Murray from Friends of Don Reserve can be contacted to discuss the volunteer training and revegetation project around Coles Beach. Contact: 03 6420 2760 Mr Tim Callaghan from Trial Harbour Progress Association Inc can be contacted to discuss the track stabilization project at Little Henty River Road. Contact: 0428 888 896
Cradle Coast NRM works with community, industry, private enterprise and government to manage and improve our natural resources to ensure a healthy future for our region. Cradle Coast NRM is a committee of the Cradle Coast Authority. Media Contact/s: Richard Ingram Executive Officer Cradle Coast NRM Ph: 03 6431 6285
Amanda Wilson Communications Manager Cradle Coast Authority Ph: 0457 834 558