Community organisations, environment groups and local councils in the Parkes Electorate are invited to nominate new Green Army projects to support practical environment and conservation activities in the region with Round 3 of the programme now open for applications.
The Green Army gives Australians aged 17-24 years the opportunity for training and experience in environmental and conservation fields and to explore careers in conservation management while delivering real benefits to the Australian environment.
“The Green Army is a key Coalition election commitment and had a successful beginning said Federal Member for Parkes, Mark Coulton.
“Round 1 teams are already out in the field improving the environment. Successful round 2 projects will be announced shortly. And now we’re calling for round 3 projects.”
“These can include a vast range of activities on land and in our waterways, from restoring and protecting native habitat, weeding, revegetation and cleaning up waterways, creeks and rivers to fencing, gully remediation and preventing erosion.”
“They include protecting and conserving national heritage places and values or monitoring and surveying on Indigenous and non-Indigenous lands.”
“Local communities know what needs to be done to improve their local environment and I’m calling on them to nominate Green Army projects that support practical environment and conservation activities.”
“Green Army projects not only provide a clear environmental benefit, they also provide training and experience to young people in the community.”
Projects must run for 20-26 weeks and can take place across urban, regional and remote Australia on public land, Indigenous-held lands, or private land. Projects must benefit the environment or national or Indigenous heritage and offer participants valuable practical experience.
Participants will have the opportunity to undertake accredited training such as work readiness, conservation and land management, heritage conservation, project and human resource management and heritage trade skills.
Green Army participants will also receive an allowance and be eligible to gain Certificate I or Certificate II qualifications in areas such as land management, park management, landscaping or horticulture or nationally endorsed skills set to support them in their future career prospects.
“I strongly urge local groups to apply for projects that will benefit the local community and environment,” said Mr Coulton.
Applications for projects under Round 3 of the programme close on 17 March 2015. An information session on the Green Army Project is being held at the Dubbo RSL on Wednesday 18 February.
To be eligible for Round 3, projects sponsors must have at least one project ready to begin between 1 June 2015 and 30 June 2016.
Further information on the Green Army including project guidelines and the application form is available online at: www.environment.gov.au/green-army