Nature refuge landholders can apply for a share of $250,000 under round two of the Palaszczuk Government’s Nature Refuge Landholder grants scheme.
Minister for Environment and the Great Barrier Reef Leeanne Enoch said Queensland was a leader in nature refuges and these grants would help landholders enhance the resilience and sustainable management of their property.
"Queensland has the largest private protected area network in Australia and we are growing a world-leading private protected area estate to protect wildlife and their habitats," Ms Enoch said.
"Across Queensland there are 516 nature refuges covering 4.42 million hectares. That equates to approximately 31% of the whole protected area estate in Queensland – and an area larger than the total protected area in Victoria."
Ms Enoch said the Palaszczuk Government recognised the vital role nature refuge landholders play in protecting Queensland’s biodiversity through their commitment to protect private land with significant conservation values.
"We are getting behind these existing nature refuge landholders and offering further funding to support their ongoing work is an important way in which we can help," she said.
"Round one of the program was very competitive and resulted in 69 nature refuge landholders being able to undertake additional conservation works on their properties.
"Projects included replanting native vegetation, improvements to fencing and ecological burns as a tool for regenerating ecosystems.
"The important work being carried out by these dedicated land managers will preserve their land for future generations and complement the role of national parks in protecting the state’s biodiversity.
"The success of the Nature Refuges Program is a testament to our private landholders protecting and managing these vast areas."
Participation is voluntary and projects must be completed within six months of signing the Grant Deed.
Applications close Monday 19 November 2018.
