The Environment Enhancement Fund has recently been reviewed so that it integrates better with other biodiversity priorities and is more flexible.

• Projects to protect areas that already have high biodiversity value, such as fencing an area of native bush, will have the highest priority. A second area of priority will be projects that enhance or restore areas with some existing value. This could be an area of native vegetation that requires some weed or pest control work. A third level priority will be projects that will be likely to require entirely new plantings aimed at creating biodiversity hotspots.

• The maximum grant allocation for a single project has been substantially increased to $20,000 (up from $5000) and the proposal is to protect areas of high existing biodiversity value. The proportion of project costs funded can be up to 50 % for restoration projects and could be higher for projects that protect high priority biodiversity areas. However, a landowner contribution will usually be required.

• For grants of over $10,000, a mechanism for long term protection, such as a covenanting agreement is strongly preferred.

• Any Environment Enhancement funding can, as before, cover material costs for a project, but now also allows the labour costs to be included as part of the applicant contribution.

• Applications can now be received all year round, with applications being considered in late September and February. Very strong applications may receive immediate funding.

For all projects, a management plan will be agreed between Environment Canterbury and successful applicants.

What you need to know about applying

• Only individuals or groups proposing environmentally sustainable projects are eligible.
• Legal protection is not required but priority will be given to projects where protection exists or where it is being implemented. A covenant or long term protection may be required for applications seeking Environment Canterbury funding over $10,000.
• A management plan for the project must be included with the application form and approved by Environment Canterbury prior to funding being allocated.
• Projects can receive funding of up to $20,000 for up to 100 % of the project costs, though for most projects a landowner contribution will be required. Funded percentage amounts will be at the discretion of the committee and based on the ecological significance* of each project.
• Proposed projects should generally be on private, customary or coastal land. The project will be, where practical, on private land or land which is defined under the Te Ture Whenua Maori Act 1993 as customary land.
• Where planting is a component of the project, preference will be given to projects that use eco-sourced native plants.
• The landowner must support the application.

Examples of projects likely to meet funding criteria:
Projects that focus on protecting significant* existing habitats and ecosystems and that maintain linkages between indigenous habitats.

Projects that restore** the natural character of degraded indigenous habitats and ecosystems. For example riparian fencing and planting; weed management fencing of native bush; fencing and planting of a wetland.

Examples of projects not likely to meet funding criteria:
Landscaping that is not part of a larger biodiversity project; projects that generate profit; projects which are required by or are the responsibility of a government agency.

* Significant - refers to habitats and ecosystems that are significant due to their representativeness, rarity, distinctiveness, or ecological context. Some examples may include – ‘originally rare’ ecosystems such as limestone rock outcrops; healthy, representative examples of a particular habitat or ecosystem type; habitats that support threatened or endemic species; habitats that provide important linkages or corridors between significant habitats; habitats and ecosystems of a type that have been extensively depleted, such as wetlands and coastal dune systems; and areas of indigenous vegetation in environments where less than 20 % indigenous cover remains.

** Restore - refers to activities aimed at assisting the recovery of indigenous ecosystem health, integrity and viability.

The fund cannot directly support:

• Projects that generate personal or commercial profits or compensate individuals
• Research or beautification projects
• Projects that are a government, local authority or other public body (such as producer boards) responsibility or requirements.

Projects which involve partnerships with other organisations and individuals are preferred.

Assessment criteria

Projects will need to reflect and contribute to the goals and guiding principle of the Canterbury Biodiversity Strategy.

The guiding principle is to focus first on protecting and maintaining what remains, and then restore what has been lost.

Projects will be assessed against the six goals set out in the Canterbury Biodiversity Strategy:

1. Protect and maintain the health of all significant habitats and ecosystems.
2. Restore the natural character of degraded indigenous habitats and ecosystems.
3. Increase the integration and sustainable use of indigenous species in modified environments (e.g. farm, urban, lifestyle blocks).
4. Enhance public awareness, understanding and support of biodiversity.
5. Encourage, celebrate and support action by landowners and communities to protect, maintain and restore biodiversity.
6. Improve the range and quality of knowledge and information about Canterbury’s biodiversity for its sustainable management.

Projects are also assessed against the following criteria to consider the ecological value of the project.

Ecological context: Projects must provide a benefit to indigenous biodiversity and play an important role in the long-term health of the wider eco-system.

Representativeness: The extent to which an area represents a habitat type or ecosystem that is typical of the area concerned.

Diversity and pattern: Ecosystems including vegetation communities, habitats for native animals, and wetlands that contain a high degree of natural diversity (e.g. a range of plant types).

Naturalness: Native vegetation or habitat of indigenous fauna is in a natural state or healthy condition, or is in an original condition.

Rarity or distinctiveness: Plants or habitats (including wetlands) that are rare or threatened or support rare or threatened species; plants or habitats that are distinctive (e.g. a plant species at the limits of its natural range or is uniquely adapted due to special areas such as caves; species at the limits of their natural range).

Project leadership: Proposed projects that will be undertaken by groups need identified leadership.

Geographic spread: Where possible a fair distribution of funding will be allocated across the region

Community education: The extent to which the project will provide environmental benefits to the wider community, for example, enhancing the communities understanding of indigenous biodiversity.

Application form

Application form for funding (pdf 663 kB)

You can fill out the form on-screen and submit by email to us.