The Council’s Environment Committee has approved $22,000 from the Our Living City Fund to support seven projects focused on community planting, habitat improvement, biodiversity and connecting children and young people with nature.

The project ‘Bring the birds back to Wellington’, which received $10,000 in funding, aims to build on the success of work done at Zealandia and in the Town Belt.

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Run by the organisation Conservation Volunteers the project will work with volunteer groups on Te Ahumairangi Hill and Mt Victoria to tackle pests and restore native habitats.

Meanwhile, two grants to the Local Food Network will back a project aimed at increasing food production in the city – with the aim of potentially supplying local markets and, ultimately, Wellington restaurants – as well as supporting Local Food Week 2014, following on from the inaugural event last year.

Councillor Helene Ritchie, Natural Environment Portfolio Leader, says the Council is keen to support projects that improve the quality of life in Wellington.

“We’re committed to protecting and enhancing the natural environment around us, which helps to make Wellington such a great place to live, work and play.

“The range of projects and ideas put forward by community groups show some of the fantastic work being done to strengthen our connections with the environment.”

Other successful projects include a scheme to engage schools and other groups with community gardens in the heart of the city, a biodiversity project to further work at Manawa Karioi – 20 acres of regenerating bush at Tapu Te Ranga Marae in Island Bay – and support for Victoria University biology students leading restoration work in Kumutoto Forest, the area between Salamanca Road, Kelburn Park and The Terrace.

This is the second funding round of the 2013/14 financial year. The next closing date for applications will be 16 April 2014. You can apply by visiting Our Living City Fund.

Funded projects

Berhampore School 3G
Rainwater tanks
$300

Conscious Design Collective
Innermost Outreach Project. To host school and community groups.
$3000

Conservation Volunteers
Bring back the Birds to Wellington – The Town Belt Project
$10,000

Local Food Network
Urban Farm Scoping Project
$1000

Local Food Network
Local Food Week 2014
$2700

Manawa Karioi Society
Biodiversity Engagement Programme
$4000

Society for Conservation Biology Victoria University Chapter
Kumutoto Forest Restoration
$1000