Eastern Kuku Yalanji granted funding



Friday 13 July 2012

Eastern Kuku Yalanji granted funding

Great Barrier Reef Traditional Owner groups from Cairns to Cape York will monitor seagrass, receive training in sea country management and become Junior Reef Ambassadors through the Sea Country Partnerships Grants Program.

Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) Indigenous Partnerships Group Director Liz Wren said 11 Traditional Owner groups reef-wide would receive grants of $30,000 to $55,000 to undertake environmental projects in their sea country.

The grants are provided under the Australian Government's Caring for our Country Reef Rescue Land and Sea Country Indigenous Partnerships Program.

Ms Wren said six Traditional Owner groups in the Cairns and Cape York regions had been successful in their grant applications this year.

"Traditional Owners play a vital role as a partner in protecting and managing the Great Barrier Reef," she said.

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"These grants support direct Traditional Owner involvement in natural and cultural resource management activities."

Ms Wren said the successful projects focussed on various aspects of sea country management that would result in better management of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.

In the Mossman area the Eastern Kuku Yalanji people have been given $55,000 to investigate the most appropriate sea country management option for their area.

Recipients of this year's grants will complete their projects over the next 12 months.

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