Environment grants for the Tweed

Tweed Valley Wildlife Carers and Earth Learning Incorporated have both received grants under the Richmond Communities Environment grant program.

Local MP Justine Elliot was on hand to announce the federal grant funding yesterday. Tweed Valley Wildlife Carers will receive $10,226 to go towards supporting their glider project while Earth Learning will receive $10,000 to go towards their Myrtle Rust project.

Tweed Valley Wildlife Carers rescue and care for sick and injured wildlife across the Tweed Valley.

‘This project aims to improve outcomes for local glider populations with on ground action focusing on glider release, monitoring and habitat support,’ said Ms Elliot.

The funding will ensure that the wildlife carers are able to continue to rescue and rehabilitate gliders and return them to their habitat. Further the funding will also ensure the group can run community information sessions encouraging the protection and welfare of local gliders and their habitat.

Myrtle Rust project

Earth Learning, a local not-for-profit group of volunteers, encourage conservation of habitat and understanding of the diversity of subtropical plants and animals that call the Tweed Valley and Border Ranges home.

The Myrtle Rust project will monitor site specific areas, provide habitat support and protect the integrity of specific local ecosystems.

‘Myrtle Rust is a real threat to our local native flora,’ pointed out Ms Elliot.

‘This disease can be found on native plants including eucalyptus, willow myrtle, turpentine, bottlebrush, paperbark, tea tree and lilly pilly. It’s imperative that we take preventative action on this disease now and protect our native flora and fauna especially those species that support native bee and bird populations.’

The aim of the Richmond Communities Environment Program is to fund projects that deliver positive environmental and social outcomes and give communities the resources, skills and knowledge to care for the environment.