Local native planting and pest control initiatives have received a funding boost from Otago Regional Council’s (ORC) ECO Fund 2024.

The fund supports community-led projects around the region that protect, enhance and promote the environment and this year more than $850,000 was granted across Otago.

Two Upper Clutha groups, Friends of Bullock Creek and Hāwea Charitable Trust, received funding for native planting projects.

Another five local groups received funding for initiatives related to pest and animal control, from rabbit exclusion fencing at Luggate Heights to trapping expansion for the Southern Lakes Sanctuary Trust.

They were among 33 environmental groups from across Otago to be awarded funding from the ECO Fund this year.

ORC ECO Fund assessment panel chair Alan Somerville said Otago gets “huge value” from the fund.

“Control of pests - sycamores, rabbits and possums - protects our natural landscapes and habitats,” he said. 

“Native revegetation restores habitat and looks after our waterways. Traplines and control of predators further helps our native animal populations recover.”

It also goes “way beyond” ecological benefits, Alan said.

“Communities know what matters most locally and the ECO Fund can empower them to turn those ideas into action. Local groups throughout Otago build valuable knowledge and skills and strengthen their community connections.”

Although the funding pool was bigger this year than in previous years, the ORC was still not able to fund all applicants.

The ORC received 65 applicants seeking a total $2.7M - around triple the funding available.

ORC environmental implementation manager Libby Caldwell said the oversubscription in-part likely reflects the ending of the government’s Jobs for Nature funding, which had supported many groups in past years.

Since it began in 2018, the ECO Fund has now provided $2.58M to 166 organisations for environmental projects.

PHOTO: Wānaka App