The Friends of Parks - Small Grants Program is focused on conservation-based activities including the conservation of biodiversity, Aboriginal cultural heritage or European heritage activities across national parks and reserves.

The Friends of Parks - Small Grants Program offers grants of up to $5,000 per application, with funding of up to $175,000 available in 2023–2024. Groups may apply for more than one grant using a separate application for each.

The Friends of Parks - Small Grants Program is focused on conservation-based activities including the protection of biodiversity, Aboriginal cultural heritage or European heritage activities across national parks and reserves, and the broader landscape where the outcomes are consistent with the objectives of the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972. This may also include the purchase of minor plant/equipment and other materials/services that supports a group’s project conservation outcomes.

Grant funding is available for activities up to 12 months in duration, with the project commencing when payment is received.

Examples of what sort of project activities will be funded? 

• Pest plant and animal control, protective fencing, revegetation, habitat restoration or maintenance/monitoring, wildlife monitoring and survey work, coastal systems, inland waterways and wetlands, track maintenance, and European or Aboriginal heritage site maintenance/protection/restoration. Interpretive signage must be approved by NPWS staff. 
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), safety training or equipment, hand tools, secure storage and monitoring equipment.
• Where member groups apply for fuel reimbursement as part of the budget submission, the NPWS draft Volunteer Fuel Subsidy policy criteria will apply i.e. first 300km travelled is the individual’s cost, then the motor vehicle allowance rate of $0.35 cents per kilometre to a maximum of $400.00 per/vehicle per year can be claimed. This policy is currently under review.

Eligibility

To be considered for funding, groups; 

• Must be a current full or affiliated member group registered with Friends of Parks Inc., and have a signed endorsement from a NPWS National Parks & Wildlife Manager (and relevant landholder if undertaken off-park) as part of the application process. 
• Groups who are not incorporated will be sponsored through the Friends of Parks Board Inc. or may choose to be sponsored by another incorporated organisation such as local government or a Local Action Planning group etc.
• Must not have outstanding grant acquittals longer than six months past their grant agreement deadline, unless prior approval has been obtained from the Board.

What will not be funded? 

• Large plant or equipment such as a ride on mower, large trailer, tractors
• Amenity and beautification projects (due to ongoing maintenance requirements) 
• Boundary and barbed wire fencing 
• Non-indigenous vegetation
• Laptop computers, software 
• Smartphones, software licenses 
• Purchase of goods for competition, prizes, gifts, vouchers, giveaways or alcohol 
• Accommodation or food 
• Directional signage (responsibility of National Parks and Wildlife Service) and publication of books (pamphlets/information sheets on park or conservation biodiversity and interpretive signage are acceptable) 
• Shooting and shooting signage, explosives, trapping or fumigation methods for pest animal control (this does not include 1080 baiting)
• Any other action or activity determined by the Assessment Panel to be inappropriate or unsuitable use of the funds within the context of park management

• Phone: 8124 4838
• Email: DEWVolunteers@sa.gov.au