The Otago Community Trust announced yesterday it would give $30,000 to the Otago Peninsula Biodiversity Trust to support its aim of a pest-free peninsula by 2050.
The possum control programme started in March 2011 to help protect and enhance the peninsula’s biodiversity.
Otago Peninsula Biodiversity Trust spokesman Rhys Millar said about 10,000 possums had been eradicated in four areas — Cape Saunders, Taiaroa Head, Clarks Hill and Sheppards Hill.
The funding would allow the trust to begin work in the "urban buffer" area, which would need a higher level of community engagement, the delivery of education programmes within the community and ongoing resident support.
"Without the funding we couldn’t begin this next stage, so we are pretty pleased to receive the support," Mr Millar said.
Other recipients: Project Litefoot Trust, $43,878; The Academy South Island Education Trust, $15,000; Blueskin Resilient Communities Trust, $14,375; St Mary’s School Milton, $13,000; Central Otago District Council, $8000; Tangata Whenua, Community and Voluntary Sector Research Centre, $7000; The Alexandra Musical Society, $6500; Acts of Kindness Charitable Trust, $6000; Concord School, $6000; Central Otago District Arts Trust, $5500; Otago Fish and Game Council, $5000; Arai Te Uru Kokiri Centre Charitable Trust, $5000; Visual Impairment Charitable Trust Aotearoa NZ, $5000; Wakari Cub and Scout Group — Scout Assn of NZ, $4642; Otago Golf Club Inc, $4000; SADD Aotearoa, $2500; Cromwell Riding Club, $2000; Otago Fish and Game Council, $2000; East Taieri School, $2000; Mosgiel Central Kindergarten, $2000; Central Otago Compassionate Friends, $1500; Luggate Albion Cricket Club, $1500; Pregnancy Counselling Services, $1000; Wingatui Community Hall Society, $1000; and Catlins Senior Citizens Club Inc, $500.
