It’s a win for biodiversity – and economic revival
A new COVID-19 economic recovery scheme focusing on the environment is expected to generate more than 400 nature-based jobs while providing support for conservation groups and private landowners.
A total of $34m under the ‘Jobs for Nature’ programme will be allocated to groups working to protect biodiversity in New Zealand. The financial support will enable beneficiaries to employ additional staff and expand their environmental projects.
Jobs for Nature is a wider government scheme worth $1.245bn. The programme aims to revive the country’s economy by creating 11,000 environmental jobs in a span of four years.
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Employment opportunities are set to open in the areas of habitat restoration, project management, pest control, trapping and fencing, among other ecological endeavours.
Funding will cover two main sectors. A sum of $18m will go towards the Private Land Biodiversity Fund to support collaboration between established groups and private landowners who are rebuilding rare habitats and protecting wildlife populations in their areas.
“We know many farmers value and are active in managing biodiversity on their farms, and this fund provides the opportunity to support groups of landowners to expand biodiversity projects while also providing jobs,” Conservation Minister Kiritapu Allan said.
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Meanwhile, another $16m will be allotted to the Community Conservation Fund, which gives equal attention to public and private lands and focuses on “practical projects”.
The approach, Allan said, will help community groups “scale up their projects, take their conservation goals to the next level, and provide great employment opportunities for locals.”
“This is not only a big win for biodiversity on private and public land, but it is also a big win for local communities and their post-COVID economic revival,” Allan said.
Employers who are interested in receiving funding support and enlisting staff should contact the Department of Conservation.
