Native plants and the Natural Heritage fund

This weekend is shaping up to be a nice one for gardening. Unfortunately I'm not much of a gardener. I'm the person who wanders along paths admiring the new growth and calculating the amount of time and effort that has gone into a planted area. Gardeners tell me that the results outweigh the effort.

If you're planning to plant natives this planting season then Rodney District Council has a fund that may be able to help you with some of the costs towards this. It's called the Natural Heritage Fund. It seeks "...to support community initiatives to better manage, protect and enhance biodiversity and natural habitats. These initiatives are expected to have clear and enduring environmental benefits. The Fund is not intended to support natural heritage restoration or enhancement activities that will result in private or economic gain. The NHF will complement other Rodney District Council community grant initiatives and will not duplicate other incentives or the responsibilities of other organisations." You can read more from the "Natural Heritage Fund Information and Application Form" which is available as a pdf from the Council website.

Rodney District Council’s natural and coastal environment manager, Maximus Smitheram, says people can apply for funding for any project that protects and enhances the natural environment, but some will be given priority.

“Any project that protects, enhances or restores indigenous vegetation and wildlife habitats will be looked at very favourably, but priority will be given to practical environmental initiatives like fencing and native planting projects and those that involve voluntarily covenanting natural areas,” says Mr Smitheram.

The Natural Heritage Fund was established in December 2006. Applications for funding up to the value of $2000 will be considered by council officers and if approved, will be granted immediately. Applications for larger amounts (up to $5000) are also welcome, and if received by 11 April will be considered by councillors at the Infrastructure and Environment Committee on 8 May. Applications submitted after this date will be considered in the next funding round.

The Natural Heritage Fund Information and Application Form booklet is available from Council offices, on request from 0800 426 5169 or on the Council's website.