28 JULY 2015: PRACTICAL measures to improve the environment will be backed by a new round of funding through the Liberal National Government’s National Landcare Programme. A total of $135,000 will be offered through the Mackay-Whitsunday-Isaac region by Reef Catchments through their Looking After Local Landscapes initiative.Reef Catchments have a very strong track record of performing practical work to make real improvements in the environment. The Reef Catchments approach of working with industry and implementing hands-on programs continues to deliver tangible results for both our land and our reef.Applications opened on Monday (July 27) for grants of between $2,000 and $15,000.The grants are a great opportunity for local communities to tackle important on-ground works aimed at addressing local natural resource management priorities. Through these grants communities are invited to deliver simple, local and long-term solutions to improve the productivity of their land and their local environment. It’s also pleasing to see that Australia’s 56 regional natural resource management organisations are directing more than 20 per cent of their National Landcare Programme Funding to help support grant rounds such as these as well as other local community engagement activities.The Australian Government is ensuring that funding is invested locally to deliver real change that is targeted on and off farm to safeguard productive capacity in the land for the future and to safeguard our environment. This is crucial because farmers, landcarers and community groups knew what worked best for their properties, environment and communities. It is also a key driver in delivering on the Australian Government’s commitment to support productivity, competitiveness and sustainability of Australia’s primary industries, and good management of natural resources.For more information, go to: www.nrm.gov.au