Conservation Minister Kiritapu Allan says the Jobs for Nature funding will enable landowners and conservation groups to employ contractors and staff to work on a variety of projects.
She says between the two funds it’s likely more than 400 jobs will be created in fields, including trapping, pest control, fencing, restoration, ecology and project management.
The $18 million dedicated Private Land Biodiversity Fund is being established to help landowners protect and restore rare habitats that safeguard populations of native species.
“We know many farmers value and are active in managing biodiversity on their farms, and this fund provides the opportunity to support groups of landowners to expand biodiversity projects while also providing jobs,” Allan said.
“It also supports the broader goals of the Aotearoa New Zealand Biodiversity Strategy and the proposed National Policy Statement for Indigenous Biodiversity.”
The $16 million Community Conservation Fund is for community-led conservation projects on public and private land, and is available to community groups with a focus on practical projects aimed at conserving NZ’s indigenous biodiversity.
“This approach will help established community groups scale up their projects, take their conservation goals to the next level and provide great employment opportunities for locals,” she said.
Allan says the new funds are not only a big win for biodiversity on private and public land, they are also good news for the post-covid economic recovery of communities.
