Conservation Grants Scheme Launched

Wildlife charity Falklands Conservation is launching a new Grants Scheme in early 2004 designed to promote and encourage environmental and wildlife projects around the Falklands.

The Falklands Islands Conservation Grants Scheme, to be made available to all those normally resident in the Falkland Islands, is one of the initiatives to celebrate FC’s 25^th Anniversary in 2004.

Five grants of up to £1000 will be made available annually from funds left to Falklands Conservation by the late Mrs Joan Kenneally, for the purposes of conservation, education and protection of wildlife around the Falklands archipelago. Conservation Officer Becky Ingham said " For many years Falklands Conservation has been incredibly well-supported by the local people of the islands. We hope that this grants scheme will encourage people to look at the opportunities and identify something that we can help with, that will benefit the environment or wildlife of the Falklands and enable us to put something back into the local community".

There are no strict rules as to what sorts of projects will be funded. Some examples of relevant work might be restoration of damaged habitat, tussac planting for example, removal of pests or invasive plants, wildlife or baseline plant surveys, provision of hides, shelters or information for tourists, or enhancement of certain sites, such as the construction of artificial nests. The main guiding principle is that it must be of benefit to wildlife or the environment in some way, and must be carried out within the Falklands. If you have any doubts as to the suitability of a project, contact the Conservation Office for confidential advice.