Applications open: New Landcare grants to support local volunteers
Melbourne Water is pleased to announce the 2026 Victorian Government Landcare Grants are open to applications, supporting local Landcare groups and environmental volunteers to better care for nature.
Totalling $3.55 million, the grants are designed to fund projects across Victoria that enhance and protect the state’s great outdoors, such as parks, coastlines, nature reserves and waterways, as well as private land, including farms.
Applicants can apply for grants of up to $20,000 for projects, and $500 to support administrative functions, including insurance, incorporation and operational needs.
Grants are available to all Victorian Landcare and environmental volunteer groups, including Landcare and Friends groups, Conservation Management Networks, Committees of management, Coastcare groups and Traditional Owner or Aboriginal groups and organisations working on Country.
Last year, 509 Landcare and environmental groups in Victoria shared $3.56 million in grants, helping fund on-ground works, community education and engagement activities, group development, as well as small grants supporting administrative functions.
Recipients from the 2025 grants included:
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Macedon and Mt Macedon Landcare Group, who are delivering "Waterways & Wildlife: A vision for Mt Macedon", to control weeds and reestablish native revegetation along Riddells Creek in Macedon
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Friends of Koolunga Native Reserve Inc., who are trialling different types of artificial tree hollows to support powerful owls in urban environments
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Jindivick Landcare Group Inc., whose project, Hunt for the Giants, will develop community activities to identify, celebrate and protect towering paddock trees within farm environments.
As one of Victoria’s ten Catchment Management Authorities, Melbourne Water provides strategic support to Landcare in the Port Phillip and Westernport region, helping deliver land, water, and biodiversity programs that enhance and protect the environment.
Melbourne Water Regional Landcare Coordinator, Barry Kennedy, said the annual grants play a crucial role in enabling volunteers across rural and urban areas to support nature restoration, biodiversity protection and resilient communities.
“The on-ground works delivered by our volunteers are becoming more important than ever, as our region faces increasingly complex challenges from climate change, increasing urbanisation and population growth.
“Over the past 40 years, the Landcare movement has made a profound contribution to improving biodiversity, soil health, water quality and Country for local plants, animals, and people living alongside them.
“Melbourne Water encourages all eligible groups to look into the grants program. We are proud to be supporting our community-led volunteer groups to protect Victoria’s environment.”
Since 2000, the Victorian Landcare Grants have invested $84.2 million in communities to enhance and protect the environment. The grants are funded by the Victorian Government and delivered through the state’s Catchment Management Authorities.
Applications for the Victorian Landcare Grants 2026 are open until 5:00 PM on Wednesday 23 April 2026.
Visit Victorian Landcare Grants on the Melbourne Water website for more information, including how to apply for a grant: Victorian Landcare Grants | Melbourne Water
Media contact:
03 9679 7004
