Te Kakano Aotearoa Trust, Waste Free Wanda, and the Makarora Catchment Threatened Species Project are among the enterprises which have recently been granted funds through the Otago Regional Council (ORC) ECO Fund. 

The fund supports community-led projects around the region that protect, enhance and promote Otago’s environment. In this funding round, it granted financial support to 14 community-led projects from around the region.

“We had a range of outstanding applications in this round, and I’m thrilled by the projects we’ve been able to support,” ORC ECO Fund decision panel councillor Michael Deaker said.

“It is always tremendous to support Otago groups doing great things in their backyard through ORC’s ECO Fund, but there’s extra significance to the funding decisions in this round, given the circumstances in which they were made.”

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Te Kakano Aotearoa Trust was granted $10,000 for a range of projects, including continuing to increase the involvement of the community in local habitat restoration and streamline operations within the newly expanded nursery space.

Three thousand dollars went to support the Makarora Catchment Threatened Species Project, and almost $12,000 was granted to ‘Waste Free Wanaka’, a fictional character created by musician Anna Van Riel, who has created a series of educational musical performances which teach young audiences about living more sustainably.

As well as the Upper Clutha projects, these initiatives also received funding: Bannockburn Project, Beehive Biodiversity, Clifton Falls Walkway Community Project, Halo Forest Reforestation, Tomahawk Lagoon Community, Hoiho Trapping Intensification & Upgrade Project, Island Biodiversity, Morningstar Reserve Regeneration Project, Protecting, Enhancing and Promoting Wetlands, and Soil Your Undies Otago and Waiereka Pod Group Biodiversity Engagement Projects.

Michael said while most of the groups have had to put their projects on hold, the money will give them a “real boost” once they’re able to resume in the coming months.

PHOTO: Te Kakano Aotearoa Trust