News
31 May, 2024
Friends of the Forest receive generous funding
The Somerset-based Friends of the Forest Inc recently received a grant of $33,323,85, through the Gambling Community Benefit Fund (GCBF) Round 119.
Members of the group met State Member for Caloundra Jason Hunt at the Mooloolah River National Park (Jowarra section), where the group’s story began more than 12 years ago.
He presented the cheque for the group’s Sustaining Nature Through Community Action Project.
The objective of the project is to engage the community through workshops, information sessions, and citizen science initiatives.
These activities help raise awareness about the Somerset and surrounding area’s unique wildlife, focusing on endangered species.
Friends of the Forest Inc president Carolita Fuentes said funds would be used to purchase equipment needed to run citizen science projects and monitor wildlife, in order to obtain information and data to pass on to relevant decision makers.
“We will be working in collaboration with individuals and groups who are interested in better protections for our local endangered species, including those managing state forests and national parks in the region,” she said.
Mr Hunt said the GCBF was Queensland’s largest one-off community grants program, and Friends of the Forest did important work in the region.
“What I love about Friends of the Forest and the work they’ll do with this funding is their focus on engaging the wider community,” he said.
Friends of the Forest Inc welcomes individuals and groups who would like to participate in these projects.
Anyone interested can contact the group at friendsoftheforest17@gmail.com
