National Parks and Wildlife Service South Australia staff and volunteers have been recognised for their conservation efforts at the Rotary Club of Burnside’s annual Volunteer of the Parks and Leadership in Conservation Awards!

These awards have been presented annually since 1983 (formerly Ranger of the Year)  – for 40 years. In 1988, the Volunteer of the Parks award was introduced.

South Australia’s dedicated environmental volunteers will share in more than $779,000 of State Government funding to help them protect our precious national parks and landscape biodiversity. Grants of up to $15,000 from the latest round of the Friends of Parks and Nature Small Grants Program are supporting 71 nature-based and heritage projects across SA. The funds will be utilised by more than 5000 volunteers in 148 Friends of Parks and Nature Groups across the state.

Round two of the Native Vegetation Council’s Restoration Grants 2024 – 2026 is now open to landowners in Murraylands and Riverland, Limestone Coast and Hills and Fleurieu and will close on the 16 May 2025.

Restoration grants are for long term (5 – 10 year) projects that will provide a significant benefit to native vegetation by improving condition and increasing protection through a new Heritage Agreement.

Check out this link for further details: NVC Restoration Grants 2024-2026.

Dear Friends of Parks member groups,

To further support the substantial work undertaken by Friends of Parks groups across South Australia’s national park reserves and other important conservation-based initiatives, the Minister for Climate, Environment and Water has approved the Friends of Parks – Small Grants Program 2023-24.

The Friends of Parks – Small Grants Program offers grants of up to $5,000 per application, with funding of up to $175,000 available in 2023–2024. Groups may apply for more than one grant using a separate application for each.

The Friends of Parks – Small Grants Program is focused on conservation-based activities including the protection of biodiversity, Aboriginal cultural heritage or European heritage activities across national parks and reserves, and the broader landscape where the outcomes are consistent with the objectives of the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972. This may also include the purchase of minor plant/equipment and other materials/services that supports a group’s project conservation outcomes. Grant funding is available for activities up to 12 months in duration, with the project commencing when payment is received.

Grant applications are to be made through the department’s online Grants Management System.
Applications close at 2pm on Monday 16 October 2023 (ACST).

For information on this year’s Small Grants Program please refer to the:

Guidelines
Frequently Asked Questions