One Billion Trees Grants and Partnership Funding continues to support New Zealand’s forestry sector and regions, funding $42.55 million across 42 innovative projects during 2019.
Te Uru Rākau’s Acting Deputy Director-General, Sam Keenan, says 228 grant applications have been received in the year to 30 November, with $22.2 million approved for 10,758.4 hectares of new planting.
“To date approximately 17,056,165 trees comprised of 9,785,067 native and 7,271,098 exotic trees have been funded.”
A key aspect of many of the One Billion Trees-funded projects is reliable science, which is why $499,321 has been funded to AUT’s Living Laboratories Project for research about integrating native canopy tree species like rimu within agricultural landscapes, while $376,850 has been funded to Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research to build understanding about how New Zealanders perceive forestry.
Tane’s Tree Trust has received $165,863 to devise ways of upscaling cost-effective planting and native forest reversion. Funding of $100,000 is enabling New Zealand Plant Producers Incorporated (NZPPI) to develop industry standards to reduce the risk of spreading pests and pathogens through plant production systems, while a further $39,500 has been granted to NZPPI’s New Zealand Nursery Practice Guidelines Project, so experienced nurserymen and scientists to share expertise.
One Billion Trees Grants and Partnership funding has funded Waikato Regional Council $800,000 to expand its Riparian Restoration project programme, improving the region’s water quality by integrating trees into farm settings. Tararua District Council has also been funded $145,000 for its decision support tool that gives landowners information about planting options on farms, and to strategically plan future forestry in the area. One Billion Trees has contributed funding of $95,000 to lay the foundations for Rotary’s 100 Forests of Peace and Remembrance Project too.
“Anyone who’s keen to find out more about One Billion Trees Grants and Partnerships funding should visit the Te Uru Rākau website for more information - summer is a great time to prepare an application for 2020,” says Mr Keenan.
