26 Sep 2017 Whittlesea Review, Whittlesea (General News) KILMORE Fire Brigade and South West Goulburn Landcare Inc in Broadford will receive thousands of dollars in funding to protect and further enhance local biodiversity. Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes announced the grants as part of the state governments $4 million in funding from the second round of community grants as part of its Biodiversity On-ground Action program. Kilmore Fire Brigade will receive $26,700 in funding for the Monument Hill Pine Removal Program, while South West Goulburn Landcare Inc in Broadford will be allocated $49,120 for the Fur and Fins Program and to extend landscape pathways with community collaboration. Ms Symes said the grants would help protect, improve and expand habitats for Victorias native plants and animals and contribute to the targets in the Victorian Governments Biodiversity Plan Biodiversity 2037 Protecting Victorias Environment. The community grants will also enable local community groups to address threats and safeguard biodiversity. Many Northern Victoria communities are already hard at work protecting and restoring Victorias unique natural environment and these grants will further assist in the protection and enhancement of the local biodiversity, she said. These community group efforts are making a real difference and are helping to deliver on the targets in the Biodiversity 2037. In the last year many dedicated local community groups in Northern Victoria helped to reduce threats and improve the survival of threatened species. Ms Symes added that the state government is committed to protecting country Victorias biodiversity and encourages local community members to get involved and participate with their local community groups. For more information about the Biodiversity Onground Action program visit: www.environment.vic. gov.au/biodiversity/biodiversity-on-ground-action Licensed by Copyright Agency. You may only copy or communicate this work with a licence.