Following a brief hiatus, it is great to have NACC NRM’s Coastal Community Grant Program back on track – Round 11, no less. Dozens of great projects have been funded over the years, and this years’ cohort of distinctly bird-flavoured projects is no exception.
Successful applications will see the Conservation Council of WA receive support to complete their Fairy Tern conservation strategy for the Abrolhos Islands and Midwest coast management units, as well as undertake a long overdue seabird survey of the Turquoise Coast islands. Tough work but someone has to do it.
Birdlife Midwest has also secured funding for a whole flock of engagement activities, including (but not limited to) a Dog’s Breakfast, school incursions, numerous information sessions and presentations, and bird ID workshops. Check out their socials to keep abreast of upcoming events.
Back on solid ground, the Friends of Lancelin Coast will be updating local dune signage and Kalbarri Boardriders undertaking some restoration of Jaques Point, on which the effects of Seroja are still very evident. And finally, this year we are pleased to support a new group that has formed around the restoration of the previously neglected Hillview Reserve in Drummonds Cove, Geraldton. It will be a pleasure to watch the return of this reserve to its natural glory.
On a more solemn note, Round 11 applications were certainly down on previous years, with ongoing COVID-19 transmission contributing to reduced capacity within coastal community groups to take on new projects, and also reducing NACC NRM Coastal Team’s capacity to be on hand to advise on project design. We look forward to the return of some form of normality soon.
This project was made possible through funding from the WA State NRM Program.
