Fund details
Closed: Thursday 10 August 2023
Contact: Daniela Biaggio, Urban Ecology Manager: Daniela.Biaggio@wcc.govt.nz
Value: $50,000 per year to allocate. See past allocations (224KB PDF)
About this fund
This fund supports projects and activities that align with objectives in Our Natural Capital Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan.
These include projects that:
- protect the city's indigenous biodiversity
- restore ecosystems
- and connect people to nature.
Priorities for this current funding round are projects that:
- are led or developed in partnership with mana whenua
- tackle weeds; with preference given to those species that pose the highest risks in areas of high ecological value
- work towards the protection and restoration of streams.
We aim to make conservation easy and meaningful. Many activities that align with Our Natural Capital, such as restoration planting and animal pest control, are supported by our operational teams. Before you spend time submitting an application, get in touch with us to see if there is an even easier way of supporting your efforts.
Apply for the fund
You can apply for the fund through our Funding Portal. If you're a first-time applicant, you will also need to register in the portal. You can also check your application status if you've already applied for funding. If you receive an error message when trying to access the funding portal on a mobile device, please use these instructions or contact the Funding Team.
Go to Funding Portal
Fund objectives
- Protect the city’s indigenous biodiversity, restore significant areas, create safe buffer zones around them and connect them together
- Reduce pest numbers throughout Wellington City to a point where our native species can survive and populations can expand
- Focus on raising awareness of the issues facing indigenous biodiversity and connecting people to their natural environment
Criteria
- Your project makes a positive contribution to achieving the Council's Strategic Outcomes outlined in the Long-term Plan 2021-2031 and Our Natural Capital Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan.
- The project is Wellington-based and mainly benefits the people of Wellington. (Exceptions may be made for projects based elsewhere in the region, but which significantly benefit Wellington City residents).
- The applicant is a legally constituted community group or organisation.
- The applicant provides evidence of sound financial management, good employment practice, clear and detailed planning, clear performance measures, and reporting processes.
- The applicant outlines how physical accessibility has been built into project development.
- The applicant outlines how the project ensures access by a wide range of people or by the intended users.
- The project should show evidence of community support, collaboration, and building partnerships with other organisations (e.g. social media interest, letters of support from other organisations/leaders).
- The Council respects mana whenua values and aspirations for the environment and should show how it incorporates Te Ao Māori and Māturanga Māori.
Focus areas
Protect
Priority will be given to projects that:
- Control pest animals and plants on public land
- Reduce the impacts of urban environment on aquatic ecosystems
Restore
Priority will be given to projects that:
- Undertake restoration work in riparian and coastal ecosystems
- Create connections between reserves for key plant and animal species
- Support the growing of eco-sourced plants for restoration
Connect
Priority will be given to projects that:
- Help people engage with nature, including through community and edible gardening and community beekeeping
- Incorporate Te Ao Māori and Mātauranga Māori, respecting mana whenua values and aspirations for the environment
- Increase people’s awareness of nature
- Give children and young people the opportunity to experience and learn about nature
- Increase active participation in biodiversity projects
Research
Priority will be given to projects that:
- monitor the success of biodiversity activities
- provide innovation in the urban conservation space.