Eight Western Bay of Plenty groups will benefit from the latest round of Environment Bay of Plenty's Environmental Enhancement Fund.
A total of 21 groups will receive $299,798 this year for projects.

Restoration work, constructing a board walk and installing a rain water collection are some of the projects which will benefit from the funding.
In addition, almost $100,000 has also been allocated to various projects that will cost under $5000.
Environmental Enhancement Fund spokesperson Malcolm Whitaker says it was rewarding to see such a wide range of projects put forward for consideration.
'There are many deserving projects underway, where people are working quietly and steadily on improving their piece of the region – for themselves, their communities and the future generations.”
'That passion for their environment and the future sustainability showed through in the applications,” he said.
The next funding round will open in March 2010 with successful applicants notified in time for the winter planting season.

This year's successful Western Bay of Plenty recipients are:
* Sanctuary Bird Park - to complete stage three of a previous application to create a native bird sanctuary ($21,500).

* Tauranga Rotary Centennial Trust - to return Kopurereua Valley to its natural state through extensive native plantings ($23,300).

* Papamoa 2B Trust - to carry out weed control, construct a boardwalk and erect fencing to manage pedestrian traffic on the Papamoa Pt2B Block ($18,050)

* CBRC Syndicate - to install a rain water collection and grey water re-use system at Bayfair Shopping Centre and promote the model to other local commercial businesses ($10,000).

* No.2 Road Hall Trust - to complete the restoration of the No.2 Road Hall and grounds as a useable heritage building ($15,000).

* Athenree Homestead - to build a protective structure over a earth cellar situated at Athenree Homestead Reserve ($10,000).

* Aongatete Forest Restoration Trust - to continue pest control operations in the Kaimai-Mamaku Conservation Park ($17,912).

* Whareroa Marae Charitable Trust - to restore and re-vegetate the surrounding banks of the Omanu Urupa ($9,237).