Landcare, WIRES nurture injured native animals

The two organisations have joined forces in a $1 million partnership supporting recovery of wildlife habitats impacted by climate events across Australia.

Facilitated by unprecedented public appeals and donations, the WIRES Landcare Wildlife Relief and Recovery Grants will provide eligible local Landcare environment networks and community groups access to grant funding of up to $20,000 to maximise and co-ordinate restoration projects.

As the country continues to face an international health pandemic, vital relief programs for bushfire-affected habitats have been delayed or temporarily halted.

The WIRES Landcare Wildlife Relief and Recovery Grants will support the planning and subsequent implementation of vital regeneration projects for vulnerable native species, whose populations were decimated, some to the point of extinction.

The grants form a ground-breaking alliance between two not-for-profits.

The largest wildlife rescue organisation in the country, WIRES rescues and rehabilitates native animals. Members also work on a range of relief and recovery plans to implement the best solutions to assist surviving wildlife and ensure the survival of remaining animals.

Landcare Australia supports the Landcare grassroots movement of individuals and groups who have a shared vision to restore and protect the environment in local communities through sustainable land management and conservation activities.

WIRES chief executive Leanne Taylor said the partnership with Landcare Australia marked the beginning of a powerful union, committed to protecting and preserving Australian wildlife, habitat and local communities from the effects of climate change and extreme natural disasters.

"This partnership between Landcare Australia and WIRES is an important step towards the restoration and recovery of Australian wildlife and landscapes deeply scarred by the unparalleled impacts of bushfires and drought," Ms Taylor said.

Welcoming the new partnership, Landcare Australia chief executive Shane Norrish said the grants program would improve outcomes for wildlife support and associated habitat rehabilitation projects.

"Through partnerships like this, Landcare Australia is getting on with the job of providing funding to local groups quickly and helping to drive and coordinate national bushfire and drought response with targeted high-priority actions, which are delivered on the ground by locals," Dr Norrish said.

"For more than 30 years, WIRES has actively rehabilitated and preserved Australian wildlife and inspired others to do the same.

"Now WIRES is funding community-led protection of habitat by actively supporting Landcare groups and networks, and other environmental community groups to improve the outcomes for wildlife and biodiversity."

Applications for grants will remain open until April 30 with successful applicants notified late May.

Landcare Australia will consider applications from:

Species the grant program aims to assist include threatened Glossy Black Cockatoo; Sugar Glider; Greater Glider; Brush-Tailed Rock Wallaby; Koala; Kookaburra; Regent Honeyeater, and Rosellas.