Swan and Canning catchments receive SALP grants: New round opens

Bannister Creek Catchment Group community planting at the Bywood Way living stream site in Lynwood, Western Australia. Image credit: Bannister Creek Catchment Group.

A total of 22 community groups will share in $281, 240 of grant funding to deliver 53 projects this year that will help the Swan and Canning catchments.

The funding has been made available through the Swan Alcoa Landcare Program (SALP), a joint initiative of Alcoa Australia, the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA), the Burswood Park Board and Perth NRM.

The program provides a simple way for community groups to access funding for on-ground environmental works. It provides successful applicants with the ability to plan activities with confidence, working in partnership with their local government for the best community and environmental outcomes.

Alcoa Australia President Michael Gollschewski said SALP had delivered remarkable results since its inception 24 years ago with more than 1500 restoration projects delivered through $9.8 million in funding.

“Next year will mark a quarter of a century of the Swan Alcoa Landcare Program, a remarkable achievement of many people working together to make a positive difference across these key catchments,” Mr Gollschewski said.

DBCA Rivers and Estuaries Branch Manager Glen McLeod-Thorpe commended the efforts of the volunteers who over the lifetime of SALP have planted over 2.9 million native plants providing habitat and improving the ecologically health of waterways and bushlands in the Swan Region.

Perth NRM Chief Executive Officer Keith Pekin noted the financial contributions of Alcoa Australia, DBCA and the Burswood Park Board provided invaluable support for community-led environmental action, resulting in 9,801 hours of volunteer hours supported in 2021.

“The volunteer and environmental sectors are just as affected by the uncertainty of these times, and the dedication of these community groups is truly commendable,” he said. “The continued support of SALP across our region underpins their efforts to protect and preserve our beautiful and unique bushland and waterways.”

Applications for the next round of funding are open and all the resources required (guidelines, templates, and examples) can be accessed here:
https://www.perthnrm.com/project/swan-alcoa-landcare-program-salp/

For the full list of this year’s SALP recipients and projects, please visit the Perth NRM website:
https://www.perthnrm.com/blog/2022/02/21/2022-salp-recipients/