A total of $35,000 has been awarded to three Coromandel organisations for projects aiming to enhance and protect the local environment.

Whenuakite Kiwi Care Group has been awarded $20k for predator control wages, the Coromandel Independent Living Trust will receive $10k for a re-use centre, while the Coromandel Film Collective has been granted $5000 to put towards a kauri documentary.

The Whenuakite Kiwi Care Group is one of three Coromandel organisations to be awarded grants under the Waikato Regional Council's Environmental Initiatives Fund. File Photo.

This week Waikato regional councillors signed off on more than $170k worth of Environmental Initiatives Fund grants for 16 projects based across the region. All up, the Waikato Regional Council received 31 applications for more than $700k in funding.

Three projects will benefit multiple areas - Ngati Haua iwi's environmental management plan ($20k), Southern Seabirds Solutions Trust's awareness and engagement campaign ($10k), and Sustainable Coastlines Charitable Trust's marae-based social enterprises focused on riverside restoration ($10k).

Councillors also signed off on $10k for Waikato River Trails in the Upper Waikato zone for weed and pest control.

The regional council's Environmental Initiatives Fund provides one-off grants to projects that directly enhance and benefit the environment or provide environmental education.

Up to $40k is available to any one project, and grant amounts range from $5000 to $40k. For small, community-led projects under $5000, funding is provided under the Small Scale Community Initiatives Fund.

For more information about the Environmental Initiatives Fund visit the Waikato Regional Council's website.

ENVIRONMENTAL INITIATIVES FUND GRANT RECIPIENTS:

Coromandel:

• Whenuakite Kiwi Care Group - Predator control wages ($20,000)
• Coromandel Independent Living Trust – Re-use centre project ($10,000)
• Coromandel Film Collective - Kauri documentary costs ($5000)

Waihou-Piako:

• Waitekauri Valley Landcare Group - Local stocktake ($10,500)
• Sundaise Music, Art and Sustainability Festival - Waste minimisation during event ($5000)

Central Waikato:

• Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - Koromatua Stream restoration ($20,000)
• 2017 Hamilton Gardens Arts Festival - Waste management during the festival ($5000)
• Waikato Museum – Support for nocturnal bat tours ($3150)

Waipa:

• Maniapoto Māori Trust Board - Engagement of youth on environmental issues ($21,420)
• Pirongia Te Aroaro o Kahu Restoration Society - Protecting and enhancing a rare plant on Mt Pirongia ($2880)

Taupō:

• Bike Taupō - Wilding pine eradication ($10,000)
• Waipahihi Botanical Society - Maintaining flora and fauna ($10,000)

Multiple Areas:

• Ngati Haua iwi - Environmental management plan ($20,000)
• Southern Seabirds Solutions Trust – Awareness and engagement campaign ($10,000)
• Sustainable Coastlines Charitable Trust - Marae-based social enterprises focused on riverside restoration ($10,000)