THE Federal Government has today announced an allocation of $28.5 million for 137 environmental and sustainable farming projects.

The funding is part of the $2.2 billion, five year “Caring for Our Country” program that superseded existing environmental programs, including the Natural Heritage Trust.

Of this $2.2 billion, the Government has previously pledged $37.5 million to implement an environmental stewardship program for farmers during the next three years.

The latest round of grants include $5.5 million for sustainable farming practices, $8.9 million for Landcare projects, more than $7.3 million for biodiversity and natural icons and more than $5.7 million for coastal projects.

The grants range between $80,000 and $400,000.

The big ticket items are $399, 682 for developing sustainable production systems by the Avongro Wheatbelt Tree Cropping Incorporated, $400,000 for conservation of remnant vegetation on travelling stock routes by the Lachlan Catchment Management Authority, $400,000 for Bitou Bush control by the Northern Rivers Catchment Management Authority and $400,000 for a project looking into what carbon means for farming by Agforce Queensland Industrial Union of Employers.

Environment Minister Peter Garrett said many projects funded through the scheme looked beyond their local environment issues to link up with others.

He said the a project by the Murrumbidgee Catchment Management Authority would bring together ten catchment management organisations along the Murray.

“They will work together to build on a create links of native vegetation between the river and ridgeline areas from the Murray mouth in South Australia to the Australian Alps,” Mr Garrett said.