Dear NRPG members and interested,

Please note that the 2025/26 grants funding through the Parks of the Darling Range Community Advisory Committee (PDRCAC), is now open.

Community groups, individuals and LGA’s are invited to submit a project proposal for consideration by the CAC for community projects within the Parks of the Darling Range by Wednesday 2 April 2025, 5:00pm to [email protected]

Guidelines are:

• PDRCAC has been provided a total of $15,000 by the Minister for Environment to fund environmental community projects and support community volunteers in the Parks of the Darling Range.
• The areas of the Parks of the Darling Range include four regional parks (Wooroloo, Mundy, Banyowla & Wungong) and a number of National Park areas; Avon Valley, Lesmurdie Falls, Walyunga, John Forrest, Greenmount, Gooseberry Hill, Serpentine, Beelu, Korung & Midgegooroo.
• Successful projects must be consistent with the management objectives of the Regional and National parks of the Darling Range.
• Funds must be spent within the 2025/2026 financial year. The funds will be managed by the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) and the department will provide an acquittal to the Minister for Environment at the end of the financial year.
• Friends groups are encouraged to liaise with relevant land managers (DBCA and Local Government) regarding suitable projects.
• Projects will require endorsement by the community advisory committee in consultation with DBCA, Local Government and other relevant land managers/stakeholders.
• Funding is one-off – therefore projects should not need follow up funding and should be able to be maintained into the future under existing management arrangements. Alternatively, proposals may complement existing projects.
• Applicants should consider projects that encourage volunteer participation, partnerships, and in-kind contributions from stakeholders.
• Funding will not be used for salary, fleet costs or administration.
• Information and data gathered through grant-funded projects must not be utilized for lobbying activities or political purposes, in alignment with the Western Australian Government’s commitment to impartiality and public trust.
• Any data collected and obtained through the funding of the CAC grant cannot be shared with third parties without prior approval from the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA), ensuring compliance with state data privacy and security policies.
• The grant recipient must obtain approval from DBCA before publicly promoting any work funded through the CAC grant. This includes, but is not limited to, social media posts, newsletters, media releases, and TV and or radio interviews, to ensure consistency with the department’s communication policies and public messaging standards.

Funding examples of suitable projects in regional parks include:

• Maintenance of rehabilitation sites
• Soil stabilisation and erosion control
• Protection of threatened species or ecological communities and/or their habitats
• Flora and fauna inventories or monitoring leading to on-ground management actions
• Revegetation to rehabilitate or enhance natural vegetation, waterways, wetlands, wildlife habitat and/or wildlife corridors and linkages
• Weed and pest control
• Establishment of facilities and/or small infrastructure to reduce pressure on a natural area
• Environmental information and educational activities, including events or brochures
• Development of interpretive signs, activities, or programs for natural areas
• Initiatives to increase community engagement
• Purchase of tools, supplies or specialised equipment to support existing volunteer groups operating in the regional park; and
• Training to increase the capacity of volunteer groups

Kind regards,
Steve Gates

President, NRPG Bushcarers