Three local Dunedin conservation groups have today been announced as the 2010 recipients of the Speight’s Environment Fund.
A total of $12,210 has been awarded to the Orokonui Eco-sanctuary Eelery, the Owhiro Stream Enhancement project and the Yellow-eyed Penguin Trust to assist with their ongoing improvement, maintenance and protection of our natural environment.
The Orokonui Eco-sanctuary Eelery are planning to use the money to establish an eelery in one of the eco-sanctuary’s ponds, eradicate weeds and replant native fauna to improve the wetland habitat and educate the public about the importance of clean water for the survival of our native aquatic species.
Owhiro Stream Enhancement will undertake a stream restoration project to improve water quality and enhance the area for fish and exotic bird species.
The Yellow-eyed Penguin Trust are going to use the money for plantings to restore the Tavora Reserve for the support and protection of the rare yellow-eyed penguin.
The Speight’s Brewery Environment Fund was launched in August 2009 and offers not-for-profit groups an annual fund to which they can apply for financial support for projects that aim to protect and preserve Dunedin’s precious natural environment.
The fund is made up of a $25,000 a year donation from Speight’s plus all donations received for water taken from the tap at the Speight’s Brewery and money made from the sale of reusable water bottles at the Speight’s Brewery Tour store. A total of $41,180 was available for the 2010 round of grants but only 3 applications fully met the criteria so the remaining $28,970 has been rolled over to next years fund.
The Fund is judged and administered by a panel of 5 independent judges who include Mayor Peter Chin, Professor Carolyn Burns from the Zoology Dept at Otago University, prominent local businessman Stuart McLachlan, Dunedin regional councillor Gretchen Robertson and NHNZ Managing Director Michael Stedman.
The next round of applications for the Speight’s Environment Fund opens in March 2011 and grants will be announced on 6 June 2011. Full details are available on the Speight’s Environment Fund website – www.speightsfund.co.nz.