New Zealand’s One Billion Trees Grants and Partnership Funding continues to support New Zealand’s forestry sector and regions, funding NZ$42.55 million across 42 innovative projects during 2019. Source: Timberbiz
Te Uru Rākau’s Acting Deputy Director-General, Sam Keenan, said that 228 grant applications were received in the year to 30 November, with NZ$22.2 million approved for 10,758.4 hectares of new planting.
“To date approximately 17,056,165 trees comprised of 9,785,067 native and 7,271,098 exotic trees have been funded,” he said.
According to Te Uru Rākau a key aspect of many of the One Billion Trees-funded projects is reliable science, which is why NZ$499,321 has been funded to AUT’s Living Laboratories Project for research about integrating native canopy tree species like rimu within agricultural landscapes, while $376,850 has been funded to Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research to build understanding about how New Zealanders perceive forestry.
Tane’s Tree Trust has received NZ$165,863 to devise ways of upscaling cost-effective planting and native forest reversion.
Funding of NZ$100,000 is enabling New Zealand Plant Producers Incorporated (NZPPI) to develop industry standards to reduce the risk of spreading pests and pathogens through plant production systems, while a further NZ$39,500 has been granted to NZPPI’s New Zealand Nursery Practice Guidelines Project, so experienced nurserymen and scientists to share expertise.
One Billion Trees Grants and Partnership funding has funded Waikato Regional Council NZ $800,000 to expand its Riparian Restoration project program, improving the region’s water quality by integrating trees into farm settings.
Tararua District Council has also been funded NZ$145,000 for its decision support tool that gives landowners information about planting options on farms, and to strategically plan future forestry in the area.
One Billion Trees has contributed funding of NZ$95,000 to lay the foundations for Rotary’s 100 Forests of Peace and Remembrance Project.
