The Federal Government has announced that community groups around the country can now apply for funding under the second round of the Biodiversity Fund and the first round of Target Area Grants, under the Caring for Our Country program.

"Today I am encouraging land managers and community groups to apply for funding under the second round of the Biodiversity Fund or the Target Area Grants under the Caring for our Country program,” Federal Environment Minister Tony Burke said.

"The second round of the Biodiversity Fund, a key element of the government’s Land Sector Package, will provide funding over four years to help land managers store carbon, enhance biodiversity and build greater resilience across the Australian landscape.

"The Target Area Grants, the first round under the Sustainable Environment stream of the new Caring for our Country program, will invest in critical areas of the environment recognised for their vulnerability and importance.

The second round of the Biodiversity Fund will focus on projects that protect and enhance existing native vegetation, and manage invasive species across six target areas:

  • Central Australian Connection
  • Tasmania (excluding Macquarie Island)
  • south-west Western Australia
  • urban waterways and coastal environments
  • South Australia-Victoria Connection, and
  • Greater Border Ranges region.

Caring for our Country Target Area Grants will provide funding of between $50,000 and $2 million for projects focusing on six priority areas:

  • the Central Australian Connection
  • Cape York
  • the Kimberley region
  • Tasmania
  • south-west Western Australia, and
  • urban waterways and coastal environments.

For more information on the second round of the Biodiversity Fund, visitwww.environment.gov.au/cleanenergyfuture .

For more information on Caring for our Country, visit www.nrm.gov.au

Applications are now open. Expressions of Interest close 2pm AEDT Tuesday 12 March 2013 and Full Applications close 2pm AEST Wednesday 10 April.