What is the national biodiversity conservation prospectus?

One Land – Many Stories: Prospectus of Investment (the Prospectus) presents the Australian Government’s framework for its investment in biodiversity conservation and natural resource management through the Caring for our Country Sustainable Environment stream and those programs under the Land Sector Package administered by the Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities. The Prospectus outlines how Caring for our Country and the Land Sector Package will deliver environmental, social and economic benefits.

The Prospectus can be used to identify locations, national priorities and grants programs relevant to project proposals. With information about the different grants programs available in one place, applicants can assess which programs are most appropriate to support their activities.

Against each of the priorities for investment, the Prospectus will identify the funding streams available for projects that meet the priority. The Prospectus will provide a link to the guidelines for each funding program.

Why were the target areas chosen?

While previous Caring for our Country and Biodiversity Fund grants rounds have been available over a wide variety of locations, the Sustainable Environment stream of Caring for our Country and the Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities administered programs under the Land Sector Package, including the Biodiversity Fund, will now be focused on specific target areas. By focusing funding in this way, the Australian Government aims to maximise the benefits of public money.

The target areas all represent regions in Australia that:

• are significant national environmental assets; and/or
• are subject to significant threatening processes; and/or
• provide opportunity for significant environmental outcomes

In most cases all three of these reasons apply.

My application doesn't fit within the geographic priorities identified in the Prospectus. Will it be considered?

In recognition of their high levels of vulnerability and importance, the target area grants of Caring for our Country and the Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities administered programs under the Land Sector Package will focus Australian Government investment in critical areas of our environment.

If your project does not fall within the Target Areas, you can apply for funding through Community Environment Grants, the small grants component of the Sustainable Environment steam of Caring for our Country, or through the Caring for our Country regional funding by contacting your regional natural resource management organisation/s.

Additionally, the Biodiversity Fund guidelines will invite applications from individuals or groups working outside of the Target Areas that are looking to enhance the biodiversity outcomes of their Carbon Farming Initiative project.

How do I know which funding stream of Caring for our Country to apply for?

The national biodiversity conservation prospectus, One Land – Many Stories: Prospectus of Investment, will outline which funding options are relevant to which target areas and investment themes through the Sustainable Environment stream of Caring for our Country.

Application guidelines will be available for each of the funding options.

If you need further assistance, contact:

Caring for our Country
Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities
GPO Box 787
CANBERRA ACT 2601
Telephone: 1800 552 008
Email: caringforourcountry@environment.gov.au

When will program guidelines be available?

The Prospectus is supported by a series of grants program guidelines. The guidelines outline the specific requirements of each program and provide information on how to apply for grants. Applicants should refer to the guidelines for information about specific programs. Information on the guidelines will be found at the following web sites after the release of the Prospectus. Program guidelines may be released at differing times.

Land Sector Package

• Biodiversity Fund: www.environment.gov.au/cleanenergyfuture/biodiversity-fund
• Indigenous Carbon Farming Fund - Capacity Building and Business Support stream: www.environment.gov.au/cleanenergyfuture/icff
• Regional Natural Resource Management Planning for Climate Change Fund (Stream 1):  www.environment.gov.au/cleanenergyfuture/regional-fund

Caring for our Country: Sustainable Environment stream

Once released, further information about the following programs will be available at www.nrm.gov.au/funding 

• Community Environment Grants
• Environmental Stewardship Program
• Reef Rescue
• Regional Delivery
• Target Area Grants
• Working on Country

Where can I go for further information?

If you need further assistance about the Biodiversity Fund contact:

Biodiversity Fund
Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities
GPO Box 787
CANBERRA ACT 2601
Telephone: 1800 008 678
Email: biodiversityfund@environment.gov.au

If you need further assistance about the Sustainable Environment stream of Caring for our Country, contact:

Caring for our Country
Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities
GPO Box 787
CANBERRA ACT 2601
Telephone: 1800 552 008
Email: caringforourcountry@environment.gov.au