$1.34 million in research grants to target fungus, fishways, frogs and foxes
Seven projects designed to help address environmental problems in NSW will receive grants totalling $1.34 million from the NSW Environmental Trust Research Grants Program.
The grants have been awarded to environmental studies focused on fungus, fishways, frogs, foxes and brolgas, as well as initiatives that bring Aboriginal traditional knowledge and western science together to improve the way we manage our environment.
The Environmental Research Grants program funds applied research that improves understanding of key environmental issues in NSW, tests innovative solutions to reduce environmental degradation, and supports the development of cleaner industry practices that are less harmful to the environment.
The Environmental Research Grant recipients are:
- Charles Sturt University awarded $199,967 for a project to outsmart foxes using their own scents
- Hunter Region Botanic Gardens Ltd awarded $148,984 to build a verified fungal reference library for sustainable soil management for fungal-dependent native plants
- Macquarie University awarded $199,930 for a project looking at social and ecological impacts of Caring for Country through cultural burning in the Durumbura Dhurabang (Lane Cove River) catchment
- Southern Cross University awarded $199,317 for Empowering Indigenous communities to monitor and measure estuary health and cultural resources in Gumbaynggirr Sea country
- Sydney Institute of Marine Science (SIMS) awarded $197,431 to demonstrate a new low cost fishway for restoring biodiversity and conserving water
- University of Canberra awarded $199,621 for works to test solutions that may save the endangered green and golden bell frog from chytrid fungus
- University of New England awarded $199,395 for a project to gather critical data about threatened brolgas in NSW wetlands that will enable better management of their habitat
For more information about the program and the recipients, visit the Environmental Trust Research Grants webpage.
Quotes attributable to Environmental Trust Manager of Contestable Grants, Josh Keating:
“Investing in environmental research is the key to tackling some of NSW most pressing ecological challenges in innovative ways.
“These grants were hotly contested, and the seven chosen projects will deepen our knowledge and advance new practical solutions.
“By supporting this work, we are empowering researchers and communities to find smarter, more sustainable ways to protect our environment for future generations.”
