Biolinks Support Grant

Closed 11 March 2022, 05:00 PM

Opening Date 7 February 2022
Aims / Outcomes To support biolink projects, the Shire is seeking applications for projects that work to contribute to on-ground biodiversity outcomes through biolinks on private and/or public land, that align with the objectives and actions of the Mornington Peninsula Biodiversity Conservation Plan.   
Value

Funding up to $10,000 is available to support biolink projects  
Grant guidelines Download the Biolink grant guidelines(PDF, 4MB).

What is a Biolink? 

A biolink, also known as a habitat corridor, links separate habitat patches and aims to support biodiversity by:

  • Reducing fragmentation by building upon and ultimately connecting habitat patches that have been subdivided, reduced and/or isolated.
  • Providing habitat for wildlife that can persist in narrow corridors, or use them for foraging, breeding or sheltering.
  • Providing pathways for individual animals to move between patches.
  • Facilitating genetic exchange between populations in isolated habitat patches, therefore reducing their risk of local extinction.
  • Enabling recolonisation of patches where species are locally extinct.
  • Enabling species to disperse to areas with more suitable climatic conditions in the face of climate change.

Biolinks have been found to effectively increase movement between patches for a broad range of species. Species that cannot move through unsuitable habitat or that rely upon metapopulation dynamics to recolonise habitat following population declines, are thought to benefit considerably from biolinks. 

Assessment

The Shire has developed a biolink decision support tool which will provide the key mechanism for assessment of applications in areas of:

  • Criteria for site values and suitability.
  • Community and economic considerations.
  • Feasibility and effectiveness.
  • Monitoring and reporting.

An Assessment Panel will consider all eligible applications at the close of the funding round.  Applicants will be advised of the Panel's decision in April. 

To be eligible for consideration for funding, the project/activity must: 

  • Take place within the Mornington Peninsula Shire Local Government area.
  • Be completed within 12 months of funding.  

Eligibility

Eligibility:

  • Incorporated bushland friends groups, Landcare groups, and other interested not for profit community groups that have an understanding of biolinks and capacity to undertake the project.  
  • Maximum of two application per organisation can be accepted (not the same project).  Projects previously funded by Council are eligible if it is for an expansion of the existing project.
  • Applicants must have the appropriate type and level of insurance for the activities that are the subject of this grant.
  • Does not owe any money or reports (acquittal) as a result of previous Shire funding or grants.
  • ABN and incorporation status must be identified in application.  

 


Contact details

Community Grants
5950 1425
community.grants@mornpen.vic.gov.au

Apply for this grant

Applications are submitted via the Shire's online grants portal Smartygrants.

 

Apply Now

To discuss your project

Please contact the Natural Systems Team Leader simon.thorning@mornpen.vic.gov.au

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