Eligibility, assessment and guidelines

Eligibility

One application per category is permitted annually from community organisations, businesses, landowners (including farming, forestry, winegrowing) and individuals. Previously successful applicants are eligible to apply for another phase of the project, not maintenance from a previous planting.

Community groups or community trusts operating multi-year projects are invited to apply for multi-year funding through the grant, up to the designated category maximum per year. To be eligible for this funding, the community trust or group must have a proven history of successfully undertaking environmentally beneficial biodiversity projects.

Assessment

All projects must comply with the terms and conditions. Applications will be assessed based on benefits to a healthy environment, project viability, level of collaboration from outside sources, ongoing maintenance for the project, and how well the project aligns with the goals of the grant scheme guidelines, provided below. Favourable consideration will be given to applications where at least half of a project's funding has been secured from other sources.

Habitat Marlborough: These projects will restore native habitats and improve biodiversity and freshwater quality. The focus would be on planting areas where there is little native vegetation, as well as waterway and wetland margins with grants of up to $10,000 per applicant in any one year.

Protecting Marlborough: These projects control animal and plant pests that are threatening native wildlife and habitats. Grants are up to $15,000 per applicant in any one year.

Environmental Advocacy: These projects will target initiatives that will promote environmental awareness within the wider community. Grants within this category are up to $2,000 per applicant in any one year.

Guidelines

In addition to the terms and conditions, the following guidelines will be considered when assessing applications, including what can and cannot be funded:

• A joint funding arrangement is preferred, cash or in-kind contributions, and/or collaboration from outside sources.
• Where pest control is part of the application, preference will be given to those that demonstrate ongoing and sustainable environmental or economic outcomes.
• Where plantings are part of the application, preference will be given to those that demonstrate funds are used directly for plants and establishing habitats.
• Projects undertaken on land not owned by the applicant will require written consent from the landowner, ensuring an ongoing support of the project on the land parcel into the future.
• Applications must provide evidence towards long-term, ongoing viability for the project.

What can be funded?

• Projects on public, private or Māori land.
• Purchase of native plant species.
• Plant guards and stakes for native plantings.
• Pest traps and other pest management devices (except cameras).
• Weed control chemicals.
• Fencing materials.
• Professional ecological and technical advice, including studies.
• Co-ordination of community-led environmental projects.
• Contract labour.
• Annual applications to expand plantings (not maintenance).
• Individual projects within larger, multi-year programmes of work.
• Production of informative signage.
• Supporting community workshops.

What can't be funded?

• Beautification projects that do not provide a substantial contribution to biodiversity.
• Personal or existing staff labour costs.
• Weed control equipment (e.g., chainsaws, scrub bars, etc.).
• Monitoring cameras and thermal monitoring devices.
• Exotic plants or native plants not naturally found in the Marlborough region.
• Work that is required as a condition of a resource consent or mitigation, subdivision consent, entitlement application, or other legal requirement.
• Maintenance of previously awarded grants.
• Projects that interfere with floodway requirements, such as planting on stopbanks.
• Single projects that have already received establishment funding from Marlborough District Council or other funding body.
• Work completed prior to grant approval, including past purchases.

Preparing to apply

Should your project fit the criteria of the Working for Nature grant, the following pieces of information can help provide a complete picture of what you are looking to achieve. This will in turn help the sub-committee make an informed decision when determining which projects are to be supported, and should be considered the minimum documentation within the application.

• Quote(s) for work or goods to verify cost.
• Planting plan, trapline placement etc. (e.g., number and species of plants).
• Map showing the project area.
• Letter of support by landowner (if applicable). Please note that public land will require written support by either Council or DOC.

Any questions, please contact envirogrants@marlborough.govt.nz