NINETY thousand dollars in grants will be offered to fund projects, trials and ideas to improve kangaroo management.
'Optimising Kangaroo Management in South Australia - A partnership approach to improving landscape and economic resilience' is a two year project that brings together key stakeholders to explore and trial shared solutions to manage kangaroo overabundance in SA.
The need for the project stemmed from record kangaroo populations across SA regions in 2017, which were then followed by a massive die off due to the years of drought that followed.
The high kangaroo numbers contributed heavily to grazing pressure across the landscape with threats to native plant species at a time when properties had largely destocked and the landscape was unable to cope with the large numbers.
Led by the SA Arid Lands Landscape Board in partnership with landscape boards across five SA Landscape regions, the partnership involves landholder, producer, kangaroo industry, conservation, First Nations, government and animal welfare organisations.
It aims to find the common ground between environmental, economic, social and cultural interests that provide a basis for collaboration and shared responsibility for kangaroo management.
Funding for up to $15,000 per project is available for projects relating, but not limited to, trials and demonstrations, research and development, education and awareness raising, and innovative ideas associated with improving outcomes in kangaroo management.
Project coordinator Emily Gregg said project ideas may apply to sectors such as farming, conservation and landscape management, animal welfare, and industry operations, or a collaboration between a number of sector partners, such as landowners partnering with harvesters.
"Consideration of increased funding amounts may be given to projects that demonstrate significant collaboration between organisations, businesses and individuals in the sector in an effort to encourage a shared responsibility for creating long-term solutions," she said.
"I encourage all applicants to discuss their application with me to further develop ideas and design."
Grant applications opened on August 15 and close on September 9.
All potential funding applicants are encouraged to reach out to discuss their application with the Kangaroo Partnership Coordinator, Emily Gregg, at coordinator@sakangaroopartnership.com.
