South Pacific conservation projects are being invited to apply to Auckland Zoo Conservation Fund's Small Grants programme by 19 February 2017 to help grow their efforts.

Grants of up to $5000NZD (announced late March), will be awarded to new or established conservation projects in the South Pacific that have a total value of up to $20,000NZD.

"The South Pacific is our backyard. It’s a region that’s been under-resourced for a very long time, so there's a huge need here," says Auckland Zoo Conservation Fund programmes coordinator, Peter Fraser.

"Our Conservation Fund already supports, at both a practical and financial level, a multitude of New Zealand projects. We've also supported key bird conservation projects in Rarotonga, Samoa, and the Marquesas Archipelago (French Polynesia) and it's always been our plan to grow our support to our South Pacific neighbours.  

This South Pacific region-focused support marks Round 2 of Auckland Zoo Conservation Fund’s Small Grants programme funding for 2016-2017.

"We're delighted to be to growing our support to the South Pacific, where small grants can help provide vital seed money to get new projects off the ground," says Mr Fraser. 

Further information and an application form to apply for an Auckland Zoo Conservation Fund small grant, can be found here.

https://cdn.aucklandunlimited.com/zoo/assets/media/pacific-story-rectangle.jpg

This South Pacific region-focused support marks Round 2 of Auckland Zoo Conservation Fund’s Small Grants programme funding for 2016-2017.

"We're delighted to be growing our support t to the South Pacific, where small grants can help provide vital seed money to get new projects off the ground," says Mr Fraser.

Further information and an application form to apply for an Auckland Zoo Conservation Fund small grant, can be found here.

About Auckland Zoo Conservation efforts:

  1. The Auckland Zoo Conservation Fund (AZCF) was established in 2000 to support the conservation of wildlife in the wild, here in New Zealand and overseas, and distributes around $400,000 annually.
  2. AZCF currently supports 36 different conservation projects (16 in New Zealand, and 20 overseas) incorporating Category One, Category Two, and Small Grants projects
  3. Overall, Auckland Zoo support to assisting wildlife in the wild, totals $1.4 million annually – incorporating financial support as well as time and staff skills working in the field, primarily in New Zealand
  4. By visiting Auckland Zoo, through a portion of the ticket clip, visitors directly contribute to helping conserve wildlife in the wild 

Auckland Zoo Conservation Fund - current support in the South Pacific:

  1. Rarotonga : Takitumu Conservation Area Project - supporting the Kakerori Recovery Programme to help save the 'Vulnerable'  kakerori (or Rarotonga Monarch or flycatcher)
  2. Samoa : Samoa Conservation Society – supporting the recovery plan for the ‘Critically Endangered’ Manumea (tooth-billed pigeon), Samoa’s national bird
  3. Marquesas Archipelago : supporting the Société d’Ornithologie de Polynésie (SOP MANU) to help save the ‘Critically Endangered’ Fatu Hiva Monarch bird