Community Conservation Grants - Esperance and Ravensthorpe groups

11/2/98

The Esperance Bird Observer's Group and the Ravensthorpe Wildflower Show have received funds under the State Government's Community Conservation Grants scheme.

They are two of 31 volunteer conservation groups from the Kimberley to the South Coast that shared grants totalling $165,000.

Environment Minister Cheryl Edwardes said 27 local groups had been awarded $85,000 while four peak organisations - the Conservation Council, Urban Bushland Council, APACE Greenskills and Greening WA - will share a further $80,000.

The grants are designed to help local groups conserve native fauna and flora or for landcare projects that will benefit the State's environment.

The Esperance Bird Observer's Group grant of $4,871 is for a bird hide at Lake Wheatfield. The Ravenshorpe Wildflower Group received $4,020 for a shire herbarium.

Mrs Edwardes said the grants were part of the Coalition Government's commitment to assisting community groups in undertaking projects that were recognised as important within the local area.

"Many of these smaller projects are integrated into more broadscale initiatives such as whole-of-catchment planning, farm tree crops and nature conservation measures," she said.