Conservation Minister Steve Chadwick and Environment Minister Trevor Mallard announced nearly $2 million would be made available to 83 projects nationwide that were working to protect biodiversity on private land.
In Otago, the Yellow Eyed Penguin Trust received a grant of $156,407 to continue the employment of a ranger. The ranger is responsible for working with private landowners and community groups.
Yellow Eyed Penguin Trust executive officer Sue Murray said the money would fund the field ranger position for three years.
It was the second time the biodiversity fund had supported the position, which was a deviation from its policy, and a total vote of support and recognition of the trust's work, she said.
"Conservation is not an overnight task so having three years to plan with is amazing.''
The ranger position was a vital role for the trust because rangers were responsible for maintenance and revegetation work on trust reserves and yellow-eyed penguin habitats, pest control and supervising volunteers.
Blueskin Farm Ltd received funds for two projects.
It would receive $2470 for an ecological report on Alexanders Creek, about 20km north of Dunedin, and another $10,557 for fencing and restoration work in the same area.
The QEII National Trust received $13,471 for weed control in the Waikerikeri area, north of Clyde.
The biodiversity funds were established in 2001 to assist landowners in protecting indigenous biodiversity on private land. There will be a further funding round in May.
Southland received $76,139 covering six projects including the fencing of the Napper podocarp forest at Woodlands.
