Otago Regional Council has received more than 50 applications for its Eco Fund, an annual fund which supports environmental projects in the region.

This year there is almost half a million dollars available from the Eco Fund as its general pool was increased to $290,000 and another $200,000 added via one-off incentive funds. 

ORC environmental implementation manager Andrea Howard said applicants sought funds for a wide range of projects - from protecting threatened bat and penguin species to water quality initiatives and pest and animal management programmes.

“The Eco Fund acts as an enabler for groups, both big and small, and ensures that we can distribute the funding across the region, meaning we can support community-led action and better environmental outcomes more equitably across the region,” she said.

Applications came from across Otago, from Oamaru south to Papatowai and from the Lindis Pass across to Glenorchy.

There was a wide range of trusts, schools, community groups and catchment groups with projects associated with water quality, pest management, biodiversity and conservation, Andrea said.

A point of difference for the Eco Fund, compared to many other environmental funds, is that it supports administration costs. This has proved very popular with the community, Andrea said.

“A large amount of applications requested salary or administration costs, which are essential to enabling actual field work to happen,” she said.

The Eco Fund recognises there’s a time and cost associated with effective delivery of on-the-ground projects.

“The fund hopefully assists groups with the administrative support needed to ensure that their project visions can be realised.”

Applications to the Eco Fund closed in May and applications are currently being assessed.

Information on how to apply, other funding sources, and earlier Eco Fund projects are

on the ORC website.

PHOTO: Supplied