Applications are now open for a share of $300,000 available to community groups for environmental projects through Environment BOP's Environmental Enhancement Fund.

The fund supports projects that directly enhance the environment and involve people from the community, says sub committee chairman Malcolm Whitaker.
'Many communities are keen to actively care for their environment, but need help doing it,” says Malcolm.
'That's where this fund can help by supporting them with funding, and also with advice and encouragement.”
'We want to see applications for projects that use the enthusiasm and skills of the local community as well as raising environmental awareness and improving the environment.”
During the past 10 years, the fund has given more than $6 million to a range of environmental initiatives, including wetland restoration, education workshops and pest weed and animal control.
'This year the Environmental Enhancement Fund is targeting three key areas that are particularly important for the region and are a focus of the regional council's Ten Year Plan.”
This includes: water quality, streams, lakes and lake margins, threatened species and their habitats, and harbours and estuaries.
People wishing to apply for funding must do so before Monday, April 12 and can contact Environment BOP on 0800 ENV BOP or at www.envbop.govt.nz