• About the funds
• Previous funding rounds
• Other funders

About the funds
The Biodiversity Funds are a government initiative to enhance management of indigenous biodiversity outside public conservation lands (i.e. only private land - including Maori land - is funded). Applications are invited from private landowners and community groups for projects on private land aimed at improving or maintaining the condition of indigenous vegetation, species and habitats.

Work to be carried out on public lands, including DOC reserves and council owned land, will not be considered. Crown-owned riverbeds, foreshore (the area between low and high tide watermark) and coastal marine areas are also excluded from funding by the Biodiversity Funds.

Advice Fund
The Biodiversity Advice Fund supports the provision of information and advice to land managers to assist them in managing indigenous biodiversity. It will fund projects that inspire landholders or groups to improve the condition of indigenous biodiversity (outside of public conservation lands). The advisory services may be one off or ongoing. Methods of providing information and advice could include ecological reports, management plans, field days, expert advice, wananga, publications (including electronic material), training, workshops and seminars.

Condition Fund
The Biodiversity Condition Fund aims to improve and maintain the condition of areas of indigenous vegetation, species and habitats (including wetlands and other freshwater ecosystems). The Fund seeks to broaden community effort in the management of indigenous biodiversity, and to complement other contributions for its enhancement. It will fund projects that enhance biodiversity outside public conservation lands, particularly on areas under legal protection. Projects could involve, for example, fencing, weed control, restoration planting or pest control.

General information
There is a general guideline of $60,000 per year maximum for a single project. This is to assist in reducing the pressures on the fund caused by large applications and to ensure that the maximum number of projects meeting the Fund’s criteria can be supported.

A guideline for the maximum project term of three years has also been adopted for both funds with the general expectation that alternative funding will be sourced within that initial 3-year term for ongoing projects.

In setting these terms and limits as a guide it is accepted that in some exceptional cases applicants may still wish to bid for an amount in excess of the fund limit. These applications will still be accepted but any approvals would be made as an exception and would need a very persuasive application in both instances. Prior discussion with the Funds team is essential in such cases.

Previous funding rounds

Results of the June 2011 funding round fifteen
View the Regional list of approved projects FR16 (PDF)

Results of the October 2010 funding round fifteen
View the Regional list of approved projects FR15 (PDF)

Results of December 2009 funding round fourteen
View the Regional list of approved projects FR14 (PDF)

Other funders

Lottery Environment and Heritage Fund – Department of Internal Affairs:

Lottery Environment and Heritage funds clearly specified one off projects which seek to promote, protect and conserve New Zealand's indigenous flora and fauna. Priority is given to projects which involve: conservation of indigenous flora and fauna, identification and conservation of critical habitats and ecosystems, conservation of rare, endangered or threatened species in their natural habitat and enhancement of public education and awareness of issues affecting indigenous flora and fauna.

Find out more at www.cdgo.govt.nz

Community Environment Fund – Ministry for the Environment:

The purpose of the Community Environment Fund (CEF) is to provide funding to ensure that New Zealanders are empowered to take environmental action. It also ensures that:

• partnerships (relating to practical environmental initiatives) between interested parties are supported and strengthened
• community-based advice and educational opportunities are increased
• awareness on environmental legislation and issues is heightened.

Find out more at www.mfe.govt.nz/withyou/funding/community-environment-fund/

Local and Regional Councils:

Many local and regional councils have environment funds for landowner and/or community groups. Contact your local council for further information/advice.

Sustainable Farming Fund – Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry:

The Sustainable Farming Fund (SFF) invests in farmer, grower and forester-led projects that deliver economic, environmental and social benefits to New Zealand’s land-based primary industries.

The purpose of the SFF is to support Communities of Interest to undertake applied research and extension projects to tackle a shared problem or to develop a new opportunity. SFF projects are lead by rural land owners and managers often with the support of industry organisations, agribusiness, researchers or consultants. Most successful projects are able to leverage a high proportion of other funding or in-kind support to complement the SFF grant.

Find out more at www.maf.govt.nz/agriculture/funding-programmes/sustainable-farming-fund

Last revised 06/03/2012