Dig It! Revegetation Program

Hunter Local Land Services is supporting land managers to take the first step towards planning and establishing native vegetation on private properties or lands managed by community groups, whether on a farm, a semi-rural or conservation block, all native vegetation provides essential services including shade, cooling effects, water filtration and salinity management, capturing carbon and releasing oxygen for clean air, and supporting biodiversity that also provide ecosystem services on farms and maintain the natural balance in the landscape. Natural capital, another term for the natural assets on a farm, also provides social benefits, such as our health and wellbeing.

The Dig It small grants program aims to improve habitat availability and connectivity for native fauna and to reinstate local native provenance plant species. Revegetation projects can include wildlife corridors, habitat plantings, dam and riverbank plantings, erosion control and shelterbelt plantings.

Landcare groups, Local Aboriginal Land Councils and individual landholders are able to apply to this funding, by submitting an Expression of Interest form.

What is the Dig It! Revegetation program?

Dig It! is a new program, piloted in 2021-22, to enable landholders to contribute to revegetating the Hunter region. The program is not a standalone grants program. We provide support, training and resources to assist with the restoration and enhancement of native vegetation in the landscape. This is supported through:

• Individual property assessments and tailored revegetation plans (where appropriate/needed)
• Native species lists suitable for your property
• Guide: Planting Your Patch
• Guide: Recognising Habitat Features
• Webinar: Native Revegetation Webinar
• Training events: Revegetation, Seed Collection and Propagation programs
• LLS seed collection and seed banks
• LLS Kooragang Volunteers, labour and tool support (for funded projects)

Why get involved?

By creating new habitat in cleared or degraded lands you will contribute to improving the habitat availability for our most threatened native fauna, support ecosystem services, improve vegetation cover, shade and shelter, mitigate localised climate change issues, and protect and enhance natural capital on farms. Event small revegetation projects will contribute to larger landscape benefits.

The grants support landholders to:

• Extend existing remnant vegetation areas
• Improve structural native diversity of existing remnant vegetation
• Create new shelterbelts or wildlife corridors that link to nearby reserves or patches
• Connect or incorporate existing mature paddock trees
• Protect and enhance farm dams or riverbanks.

Find out more about Dig It! funding opportunities

Local Land Services staff run training and workshops, such as riparian revegetation, native revegetation or native seed and propagation workshops. These workshops are specifically designed for the Hunter region, to provide additional guidance, access to information and practical aspects to small-large revegetation projects.

How to apply for a Dig It! Revegetation Grant?

You will be invited to apply for a grant based on the Expression of Interest (EOI) form you have submitted. For any EOIs identifying “revegetation” on their form, and not eligible to apply for the Healthy and Productive Landscapes Incentives Program, will be sent invitations via email prior to each round.

Your EOI will also enable Local Land Services staff to invite you to related training and workshops, such as riparian revegetation, native revegetation or native seed and propagation workshops.

We also have a range of resources and online videos to refer to on our Hunter Region NRM Projects page.

How do I submit an Expression of Interest?

Whether you are seeking general or specific property advice, or seeking funding support, you can submit an Expression of Interest(EOI) at any time:

The process for submitting an Expression of Interest through two options:

Option 1: Complete the online Expression of Interest Form (preferred)
Select “Revegetation” in Project Activities section

Option 2: Download, print and complete the hard copy Expression of Interest Form.
Select “Revegetation” in Project Activities section

• Scan and emailed to: incentives.program@lls.nsw.gov.au or
• Post to Private Bag 2010, Paterson NSW 2421
• In person over the counter at your local office.

For more information on completing your EOI form or other advice, contact your local office or our support staff:

Sue Rowland susan.rowland@lls.nsw.gov.au 0428 647 057(Lower Hunter, Upper Hunter) or Abbey Henry abbey.henry@lls.nsw.gov.au 0487 560 109 (Mid Coast)

You must submit an EOI to be considered for any funding opportunities under this programs.

2023 grant funding and closing dates

Small grants between $3500-6000 will be available per grant. The grants are targeted and competitive, and will be allocated until funds are exhausted. (The program is planned to run in 2023-24).

Approximately $100,000 is available through this program, supported by the Hunter Catchments Contributions and NSW Government funding. Additional funding may be available from the National Landcare Program, where projects align with these strategic programs.

Closing dates for 2022-23 grants applications for the next round is anticipated late February 2023. Guidelines and invitations to apply will be sent out to EOIs received (within the last 2 years) at least 4-6 weeks prior to the closing date.

Who is eligible for Dig It! Revegetation grant funding?

There are other eligibility requirements, but the general conditions are listed below.

• You must submit an EOI to be invited to this grants program.
• Works involving local native provenance plantings on properties in the Hunter region.
• Applicants must demonstrate some skills, understanding or experience in native revegetation.
• Minimum 1 hectare per planting site per property.
• Minimum 50:50 cash or in kind contribution to grant funds sought.

Note: All successful grantees will be published on our web site or the NSW Grants and Funding page.

Application Guidelines and Application Forms and related information 22-23 will be sent out through the Hunter LLS EOI register for those who have selected interest in revegetation or riparian restoration or riverbank improvements in the form.