Forty-eight community-led projects across the region will benefit in a share of $265,000 through the third round of the Hills and Fleurieu Landscape Board’s Grassroots Grants program. 

The grants provide support to individuals, volunteers, schools, community organisations, First Nations and not-for-profit groups working locally for sustainable agriculture and environmental benefits. 

David Greenhough, Chair of the Hills and Fleurieu Landscape Board, says the grants will fund a range of important projects. 

“We had a great response and attracted more than three times the number of applications for the allocated budget. In response, the board increased the grant funding to help more of the fantastic projects get off the ground. 

“The projects span the region, and I thank all of the individual landholders, community groups, businesses and not-for-profits for putting their hands up to care for the land, water and nature of the Hills and Fleurieu,” Mr Greenhough says. 

“This year’s funding will support a diversity of projects, including regenerative agriculture, environmental restoration, and projects that incorporate learnings and celebrate First Nations’ knowledge,” he says. 

An example is the Friends of Hindmarsh River Estuary group in Victor Harbor, who will use funding to restore native vegetation and habitats of the estuary and river, forming an easily accessible environmental reserve within the township. 

They will do this by eliminating woody weeds and raising native plants from local seed sources. The plants will be established throughout the reserve, including around the permanent water ‘billabong’, which is a haven for a broad range of bird species, reptiles and mammals. 

This project also received matching investment from the City of Victor Harbor – a great example of cross-collaboration and partnerships between the community, board and local council. 

“The board is really pleased with how our Grassroots Grants program has progressed, and the outcomes are well-aligned with our five-year Hills and Fleurieu Landscape Plan, which has a vision of creating a community culture of landscape stewardship,’ Mr Greenhough says. 

“While many are new projects, we have a number that have received funding through previous rounds. We look forward to seeing the great outcomes that funding recipients achieve through their projects.” 

The full list of Grassroots Grants recipients can be found online.