A group of Curtin residents plan to transform a local green space ​with the assistance of an ACT Government grant.

More than 30 Canberra organisations and community groups will receive funding from the ACT Government to foster and conserve Canberra’s environment.

Now in its 25^th year, the ACT Environmental Grants program provides opportunities for the community to address environmental issues, restore and protect local nature spaces.

Residents of Allan and Gillies Street in Curtin will restore ecosystem function to their local green space and breathe life back into the area.

Project convenor Alice Hathorn from ACT Urban Woodland Rescue said the funding would support the success of the group and their initiatives.

“The beauty of engaging in this kind of rewilding activity is that the community is provided with a living, attractive space where people can spend time together in nature,” Alice said.

“Here in Curtin, we are looking to apply the methods undertaken in a pilot project in a small park in Weston (Fowles Street Park) to restore ecological function and reconnect the Curtin project with its surrounding wildlife corridors. Our goal is to repair the soil and protect the health of the existing mature trees by reuniting them with their original plant communities.

“The greater proportion of the grant funds provided will go into purchasing plants, some of the funds will go towards remediating the soils and site preparation and the remainder will be spent on water.

“ACT Transport and City Services have also donated some mulch for the project.”

_{Project convenor Alice Hathorn from ACT Urban Woodland Rescue}

Of the 32 successful project proposals there are:

• 18 Environment Grant recipients
• Nine Nature in the City Grant recipients
• Five Environmental Volunteer Assist Grant recipients

The funding will support increasing biodiversity, protecting native flora and fauna, assist with urban cooling and improve the capabilities and capacity of volunteer groups.

You can learn more about the ACT Environmental Grants program and this year’s successful recipients through the Environment ACT website.

Curtin residents looking to get involved in the Allan and Gillies street project can visit the Allan Gillies Landcare Garden Group Facebook page for updates.

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