Environmental Protection in Perth Receives Another Boost with the Swan Alcoa Landcare Program
21st February, 2019
The Swan Alcoa Landcare Program (SALP) continues to protect the environmental biodiversity of our Swan Region with more than $330,000 in grants awarded to 59 on ground projects at this morning’s annual SALP Funding Ceremony.
The dedicated work of local volunteers and landcare groups to undertake these projects was recognised at a breakfast, held this year at Matilda Bay Restaurant.
Twenty-one community groups will undertake projects across the Swan Canning Catchment ranging from hand weeding to invasive weed control, the protection of threatened species and communities to feral cat control, revegetation of waterways, riparian repair to rehabilitation of trails.
Alcoa of Australia (Alcoa) Chairman and Managing Director Michael Parker said the company was proud of its long-running association with the successful Swan Alcoa Landcare Program. He said the projects receiving funding this year were impressive examples of sustainability in action.
“Each and every one of these local projects will help to create value, enhance local communities and reduce environmental impacts,” Mr Parker said. “SALP is evidence of what can be achieved with a little bit of corporate support and massive amounts of community spirit, volunteering and hard work.”
SALP was established to provide community groups with a simple process to access funding. It is a joint initiative of Alcoa, the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) and Perth NRM. Since its inception in 1998, SALP has provided nearly $9 million in funding to community groups, who in turn have delivered more than 1400 restoration projects.
Environment Minister Stephen Dawson said “the State Government is committed to providing support to the community to enable the delivery of Landcare projects that will improve the health of the Swan Canning Catchment. Over the years, the community has dedicated more than 200,500 hours into local projects, which is an amazing effort and is greatly appreciated.”
Perth NRM Chairperson Mariyon Slany said as SALP entered its third decade it would continue to support the protection, management and restoration of the natural assets within the Swan Region.
“SALP is an iconic program,” Ms Slany said. “The longevity of the program highlights the ability of corporate partnerships to work with the local government for the good of the community and is a model we are working more towards in the future.”
SALP’s 2020 funding round opens today and closes on 24 April 2019.
More information on the successful SALP grant recipients, their projects and the SALP program can be found on the Perth NRM website https://www.perthnrm.com/programs/swan-alcoa-landcare-program
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About Perth NRM
Perth NRM is a non-profit organisation with a focus on the environment. Our aim is to protect and enhance our natural assets, sustainable agriculture and sustainable living. Perth NRM develops and manages projects and events as well as building support through collaborative networks of stakeholders and community. We are part of a state-wide network of NRM organisations managing funded programs at a regional level as part of the Australian Government’s National Landcare Program.