Grants for Nature FundApplication Guide

February 2017

Context

In 2016, Forest & Bird established the Grants for Nature (G4N) Fund, a new funding opportunity available to Forest & Bird Branches and recognised Forest & Bird Networks. The Fund provides grants to projects that directly support Forest & Bird’s strategic priorities, protect or advocate for the protection of indigenous biodiversity and ecosystems or provide environmental education.

Eligibility Application must be led by one or more Forest & Bird members, with a preference for proposals having Branch or Network involvement, which can best be demonstrated by the application being made via a Branch of Forest & Bird. For successful proposals, funds will be held and dispersed by a Branch for project purposes regardless of whether the primary contact for the project is affiliated via a Branch, Network, or Kiwi Conservation Club.

Activity generated by the grant must be three years duration or less, and commence in 2017. For grants pertaining to ongoing activity prior to 2017, the proposal must be clear about how the proposed activity is additional, distinct, and synergistic to prior and ongoing activity.

Application Materials Application template to be made available and promoted to all members and supporters (i.e. including social media channels)

• Applicants to complete 2017 G4N Application Form including:• 200 word project summary (in form)• Up to 1000 word statement in support of the proposal, with reference to decision criteria • Project Budget • Project Timeframe• Signed Declaration

Evaluation Criteria

• Alignment to Forest & Bird Strategic Plan• Conservation Value• Impact on Reputation/Profile • Extent of Society Involvement• Measurable Outcomes • Capacity Development • Collaboration (Internal and External) • Precedent / Innovation • Publicity Planning • Co-Funding & In Kind Support (e.g. volunteer hours) • Demographic Balance (demographics to include nature and human elements) • Demonstrated Track Record • Duration

Timelines and Decision Process Applications close 20 April. The Board Grants sub-committee will make recommendations for sign off by the Board and CEO. The Grant Making Group will be expected to make the decision of which applications to recommend for funding by consensus, or failing that a majority vote. Decisions will be made as soon as possible, with up to $100,000 funding to be allocated in 2017. We aim to announce the successful projects at the 2017 Conference in June.

Grants for Nature Fund (G4N) background

This is a guide for Forest & Bird Branches and people supported by Forest & Bird branches who wish to apply to the Forest & Bird Grants for Nature Fund (G4N). It outlines the process for applying to the G4N, the criteria used to assess applications and Forest & Bird’s priorities for G4N projects.

The G4N Fund is open to support projects led by Forest & Bird Branches and Networks (Networks include Forest & Bird campaign projects such as Freshwater, Marine Protection, Biodiverstity and Climate Change) also including collaborative projects formally supported by Forest & Bird Branches and Forest & Bird Networks. Project may be carrying out conservation work, advocacy, environmental education or ecological restoration in New Zealand across a range of habitats and ecosystems – terrestrial, freshwater or marine.

The G4N offers grants up to $20,000 per project per annum. Projects may be funded for up to three consecutive years, but new fully contested applications will need to be made for each successive year.

Aims of the G4N Fund • To support Forest & Bird to develop projects that help the Society achieve goals and objectives in our Strategic Plan for Nature

• To support Forest & Bird in delivering local awareness, advocacy, conservation and restoration projects protecting and restoring New Zealand’s most vulnerable species and habitats

• To protect and restore species and habitats that Forest & Bird identifies as a priority, including Forest & Bird reserves

• To promote increased coordination of ecological restoration and habitat protection on a catchment or landscape scale

• To raise awareness of biodiversity and conservation in the wider community

• To encourage communities to become guardians/kaitiaki of their environment, becoming active partners in protecting and restoring our biodiversity for present and future generations

• To increase the scale and effectiveness of community-led conservation action to achieve this

• To educate young people and their whanau about biodiversity conservation, ecological restoration and sustainability

• To support Forest & Bird Branches and Networks to carry out advocacy for the protection of biodiversity and ecosystems including preparing submissions for statutory processes under the Resource Management Act 1991, the Conservation Act 1987, the Reserves Act 1977 and the National Parks Act 1980 (and any other relevant legislation)

• To support Forest & Bird Branches and Networks to advocate for increased protection of biodiversity and ecosystems through statutory and non-statutory processes such as the declaration of Marine Reserves (Marine Protected Areas?) including by facilitating consultation and collaborative processes.

Scope of the G4N The G4N Fund is open to Forest & Bird Branches and Networks carrying out conservation work, advocacy, environmental education or ecological restoration projects in New Zealand within or across a range of habitats and ecosystems – terrestrial, freshwater or marine.

Land tenure and protection

In relation to terrestrial projects the Fund will support projects across a range of land tenures including; privately owned land, multiply-owned Maori land, local authority land and Crown land in the conservation estate (DOC land). In relation to projects on Crown land the Fund will only support Forest & Bird led community projects and will not fund activities that DOC is responsible for undertaking as part of its functions under the Conservation Act 1987 or the National Parks Act 1980.

G4N will fund projects irrespective of the protection status of the land. However, for projects involving ecological restoration involving the planting of native species or fencing, proof will be needed that there is a binding commitment from the landowner to protect these areas over a long period (e.g. a Queen Elizabeth II Open Space covenant, DOC or local authority covenant or a Nga Whenua Rahui Kawenata for Maori land).

Process for applying to the G4N

Funding rounds There is one funding round of the G4N fund per year.

Round 1 is open now and will close 20 April 2017.

Subsequent rounds will open 1 September annually and close 1 March.

Applications can be made at any time between the opening and closing dates for each round and must be received before 5pm on the closing date.

Applications will not be assessed until after the funding round has closed.

All decisions of the Society with respect to G4N applications are final.

Grant payments will be dispersed as soon as practical after the decisions have been made and funding agreement completed.

How to apply 1. Complete the G4N application form which can be downloaded from the Forest & Bird website.

2. In your application form you should clearly demonstrate how you meet the Fund’s criteria and G4N priorities.

3. The application form asks for details about your group and a description of the project you are seeking funding for. You also need to include supporting information with your application (see supporting information section).

4. Once completed email the form and supporting information to G4N @forestandbird.org.nz

5. Based on the information provided in the form, the applications eligibility and priority will be assessed. We may contact you by telephone or email to seek further clarification before making a decision.

Assessment process Your application will be assessed against the following criteria:

• Group criteria• Project criteria• Eligible costs and activities• G4N priorities

If you meet the criteria above your application will be assessed by the G4N Advisory Panel comprised of Forest & Bird staff and Board Members. You may be asked to supply additional information in support of your application. This may take the form of supporting letters, restoration plans, copies of agreements, accounts etc.

If you meet the eligibility criteria but the Fund is oversubscribed, we will prioritise applications that best meet G4N priorities. This decision is final and there is no right of appeal. If your application is unsuccessful we will notify you in writing. You will be able to reapply to a future funding round.

Forest and Bird will require a project reports within 12 months after the Grant has been allocated to assess effectiveness and eligibility for additional funding.

Successful applicants Grants awarded to successful applicants will be subject to a funding agreement between Forest & Bird and the recipient before dispersal of funds, and may be paid in a number of installments payable at agreed milestones and dependent on progress.

From time-to-time Forest & Bird will evaluate the effectiveness of the G4N and an evaluator may contact and interview a representative sample of G4N recipients. Recipients are required to participate in and cooperate with this process.

Group Criteria

Your group connection must Be a Branch of Forest & Bird (note this includes KCC)

OR

Be a recognised Forest & Bird Network (Currently Climate Change & Marine Networks exist).

OR

Be a community project formally supported by a Forest & Bird Branch and with Forest & Bird Branch membership on the project committee.

AND

Have a track record, technical competence and experience that enables you to deliver the project, or have guaranteed ongoing support from a competent organisation such as DOC, regional councils, NZ Landcare Trust, media outlets or educational institutions to support quality delivery of the project.

Who cannot apply The following are not eligible to apply for funding:

• Individuals or family/whanau groups without connection to Forest & Bird.

• Trading companies or businesses (for-profit organisations).

• Local authorities - territorial authorities, unitary authorities and regional councils.

• Government agencies or statutory entities e.g. DoC, Fish & Game.

• Organisations based or working outside New Zealand.• Organisations whose primary goal is advancing party

political or religious causes.

Project Criteria

The following criteria are used for assessing project proposals. Applicants should demonstrate that they considered these criteria in the application form:

• The project must be located in New Zealand (incl. territorial waters).

• The application must demonstrate that funds are being directly applied to eligible activities or costs (see below).

• The application must demonstrate that the project meets one of the G4N Fund priorities (see below).

• The application must demonstrate project effectiveness and value.

• The proposal must be of a good quality and demonstrate robust project design, including a project plan with a clear vision and goals, and mechanisms to monitor and evaluate project outcomes.

• If matched funding is required to carry out the project, evidence must be provided that this has been secured from other sources, or is likely to be secured in the near future.

• The project has support from a cross section of the community, including the iwi/hapu with mana whenua in the project’s area where relevant.

• The project is supported by DOC, local or regional council where relevant.

• Demonstration of a good understanding of risk management, health and safety requirements and other legislative or regulatory frameworks that may impact on its projects.

• Demonstration of how the project can be sustained beyond the term of Forest & Bird G4N funding.

• Where relevant, permission from the landowner to carry out the proposed work (included as supporting information in the application).

• Projects involving investment in planting, fencing etc. should have a guarantee that the land will be protected in the long-term, preventing changes in land-use that will undermine the project’s goals.

• Volunteer hours should be accounted for in plan and evidence given in project feedback to the Grants Committee.

Eligible costs and activities

The G4N grant may be used for the following costs and activities relating to conservation, advocacy and/or ecological restoration:

• Development of restoration or management plans (by consultants or staff) .

• Pest control (materials/equipment/contractors)

• Weed control. (materials/equipment/contractors).• Costs associated with species translocations or re-

introductions, including feasibility studies.• Costs associated with the ongoing running of a nursery if this

is the most effective method of securing eco-sourced native plants or can demonstrate increased community involvement or awareness raising.

• Fencing (materials/contractors).• Coordinator/project worker/administrator salary costs –

subject to clear and transparent governance and management arrangements in line with Forest & Bird policy relating to employment and contractors.

• Eco-sourced plants and associated preparation and maintenance costs.

• Equipment and tools (spades, grubbers, weed eaters).• Costs associated with monitoring and evaluation of project

outcomes.• Volunteer expenses; travel costs, refreshments, tools and

equipment, training.• Publicity and promotional materials

(posters/leaflets/photos/video production/interpretation signs etc.) that help to raise public awareness of the project in the local community.

• Environmental education projects with the objective of raising awareness of conservation or indigenous biodiversity and ecosystems.

• Technical media requirements for conservation education projects.

• Costs associated with media development such as commissioning professional independent producers.

• The commissioning of independent environmental and ecological advice to support Resource Management Act or other legislative submissions.

• The commissioning of consultants/independent experts to contribute the preparation of cases for increased protection of indigenous biodiversity and ecosystems.

• Other activities as demonstrably relevant to the outcomes in the project proposal, and not specifically excluded.

What costs and activities are NOT eligible

Applications for the following costs and activities are NOT eligible:

• Projects outside New Zealand.• Funding for the same or a very similar project for more than 3

years running, other than in extraordinary circumstances.• Capital assets or equipment costing more than $1,500 per

item.• Urgent or retrospective applications.• Projects that are primarily research or academic activity (see

our JS Watson fund).• The purchase, repair or construction of buildings.• Land purchase or costs associated with the purchase of land.• Work that a landowner is required to do by law.• Sports and recreation activities/projects.• Health, medical, disabilities, equipment expenses.• Religious or political party activity or advancement.• Business establishment or investment capital, expenses etc.

G4N Priorities

The priorities for G4N funding are

• Projects that meet one or more of Forest & Bird’s Strategic Plan objectives athttp://www.forestandbird.org.nz/strategicplan

• Projects in areas close to population centres with the objective of increasing awareness of biodiversity conservation and increasing community involvement in conservation action and that promote Forest & Bird as a Voice for Nature

• Projects working in areas of lowland biodiversity including:•

o Freshwater environments and their catchmentso Coastal, dune systemso Wetlands and estuarine systemso Lowland and coastal forest and scrub communitieso Habitats of threatened indigenous species

• Projects in areas where there are remaining patches of high quality habitat which are threatened by habitat fragmentation, changes in land use or invasive species.

Additional priorities Additional preference will be given to projects that demonstrate that they:

• Are working at a wider catchment or landscape-scale and the has ecological outcomes including:

o Protecting the integrity of existing good quality habitats

o Restoring connectivity between existing habitatso Providing buffers to remaining habitat remnantso Restoring ecological processeso Enhancing education and understanding of these

places and processes

• Are working to meet priorities identified in local biodiversity strategies or action plans

• Create opportunities for local economic development, employment or social development

• Are part of a multi-agency partnership supported by the local or regional council and/or the Department of Conservation

• Demonstrate that they are cooperating with or can provide support and advice to other community groups working in their area.

Supporting information

General information All applications must provide:

• A project plan outlining the project’s intended outcomes, how they will be achieved, the skills and experience of those delivering the project and a timeline for the project.

• A clear and complete project budget.• Details of any consents, permits or licences needed for the

project.• Evidence that the project has support from the Department

of Conservation and/or local authority (for example a letter of support) where relevant.

• Details about consultation with the local hapu and/or iwi about the project, and letters of support where appropriate.

• All projects must provide ownership information (see below) where relevant.

• Forest and Bird will require a project reports within 12 months after the Grant has been allocated to assess effectiveness and eligibility for additional funding.

Land tenure and protection

If the applicant does NOT own the land or property the project will focus on, the following minimum supporting documentation is required:

• An agreement with the owner for the use of the land for the project purpose.

• Support for the project from the organisation which has legal title to the project site if this is crown or local authority land.

• The reasons why the legal owner is not making the application.

Ecological restoration plans

All applications for ecological restoration projects are encouraged to provide an ecological restoration plan completed or endorsed by a suitably qualified ecologist, which:

• Provides the name and qualifications of the ecologist.• Identifies the restoration area, including a map and

photographs.• Details of the ownership and any relevant legal protection.• Details the responsibility of government agencies, including

local authorities, for the area or for the project.• Describes the area including providing detail of the dominant

vegetation cover, species present and ecological significance of the area.

• Details the original and current condition of the area and identifies the need for ecological restoration, including providing a benchmark “reference” against which to measure the success of the project.

• Identifies the aims and objectives of the restoration.• Assesses in detail the risks to the restoration of the area,

including animal and plant pest invasion.• Details of any legal requirements for the project such as

resource consents.• Provides an assessment of the cultural concerns raised by

the project.• Provides a plan for how the restoration will be achieved,

including:•

o A risk management plan, including animal and/or plant pest management plan (if relevant)

o How locally eco-sourced plants will be used in the restoration

o Timing for the restoration actionso Long term management and monitoring of the

restoration project

• Provides an assessment of the viability of the project ecologically and in terms of the long-term sustainability, taking into account the risks, resources and costs involved.

• Provide volunteer hours going forward

Pest management plans All applications for pest animal or plant management projects are encouraged to provide:• A plan including:

o A map and description of the project areao The species to be targeted and the flora and/or

fauna being protectedo Evidence of why the project is neededo The intended outcome of the project:

▪ The pest management target▪ The target for the successful protection of

the flora and/or fauna▪ How these targets will be achieved and

sustained▪ The method to be used

• A plan for monitoring and evaluating the project including a benchmark against which progress will be measured

• Support for the project from the biosecurity officer of the relevant local authority and/or DOC

• Details of any consents, approvals, licenses advertisements, signage and/or other notifications legally required for the project

• Details of any health and safety certification and/or training required to carry out the work (e.g. GrowSafe for the administration of horticultural herbicides) and evidence that you and/or any contractor used has up to date certification to carry out the tasks proposed.

• Provide volunteer hours going forward (a record of)

Advocacy Based Projects For projects involving advocacy and education

• A clear communications plan showing how you will involve Forest & Bird.

• A production plan timeline.• Identification of intended audience and outreach.• Technical considerations for the project, including

equipment, logistics and location access.• Artistic vision for the project.• Social media outreach and engagement plan.• Current technical capacity. What equipment is available

to you.• Educational outreach. What schools or educational

institutions are involved and how is this demonstrated.• Educational outcomes.• Media distribution plan.• Details of any consents, approvals, licenses

advertisements, signage and/or other notifications legally required for the project.

• Details why this advocacy or education theme is important and how it relates to or is different from the current resources available.

• Provide volunteer hours going forward.

Additional questions and information

If you have any questions in relation to the G4N’s criteria or application process or wish to discuss a potential application, contact your Regional Conservation & Volunteer Manager.