BirdLife Australia’s Beach-nesting Birds Program Small Grant Application Form 2012

IntroductionWhat is BirdLife Australia’s Beach-nesting Birds Program?

BirdLife Australia’s Beach-nesting Birds program has been working with community volunteers across Australia since 2006 to achieve the following:

Raising awareness among beach users about beach-nesting birds, threats and their conservation;

Training volunteers to monitor beach-nesting birds, indentify threats, and implement and improve management;

Protect eggs and chicks via temporary fencing, signage and artificial shelters, and;

Research new ways of protecting birds and improving breeding success.

For more information, visit www.birdlife.org.au/beach

What are BirdLife Australia’s Beach-nesting Birds Program small grants?

BirdLife Australia’s Beach-nesting Birds Program small grants are a new initiative funded by the Australian Government’s Caring for our Country.

These small grants are to provide funding for community-based projects that target on-ground conservation, community education or research about beach-nesting birds at a local or regional scale within Australia.

A total of up to $20,000 (excluding GST) is available from 7 th December 2012 for projects to be completed by June 30 th 2013 .

What activities will be eligible for funding?

Grants up to $5000 are available to assist projects relating to beach-nesting bird (BNB) conservation that include either on-ground conservation works (e.g. signage, fencing, chick shelters, banners, predator control, etc); awareness raising events or the creation of awareness raising materials/resources, or; research to fill important knowledge gaps about BNB management, or to better understand the attitudes or drivers of behaviour towards beach use or BNB conservation on beaches.

Priority will be given to innovative projects which engage individuals beyond the membership of your own community group, where land manager approvals and permissions have already been obtained, and where monitoring and evaluating the success of the project in relation to tangible improvements to BNB conservation has been factored in.

Think outside the box! An approach to community engagement can come from a different angle, maybe an arts project, short film or children’s book, or social media project. Try something new to reach a new audience.

In terms of on-ground management, make sure you have read all the up-to-date research out there and know the pros and cons of each management option available. Feel free to run your idea by us for feedback as the BNB team consists of scientists who have a background in best practise management.

For research projects, think about what would be feasible in such a short time frame. Realistically, for field research only groups or students with existing permits will be able to apply for this funding to expand their research projects. However research does not only have to be ‘bird’ or ‘management’ focused, it can be social or historical. For example, it could be researching indigenous stories about beach-nesting birds or interviewing beach users or residents about attitudes or values. Contact the BNB team who have a background in developing social surveys, experimental design and statistical analysis.

No more than 5% of these funds can be used for administering the grant (e.g. telephone; petrol; coordinator salary; etc).

Who is eligible to apply for this funding?

Community groups who are eligible to apply for grants include:

• Coastcare, Landcare, ‘Friends of’ groups, naturalist groups and non-government community organisations;

• Indigenous organisations, land councils, trusts and cooperatives working ‘on-country’;

• Community service organisations and clubs;

• Education institutions including schools and universities;

• Umbrella groups, network organisations and ‘consortia’ of community groups.

Monitoring and evaluation

A requirement to receive payment will be to provide a Monitoring, Evaluation, Reporting and Improvement (MERI) report. Appendix 1 provides templates for your MERI report according to the type of project you are carrying out (e.g. on-ground, community awareness or research).

It is important that volunteer groups recognise the value of the monitoring and evaluation processes, not just for the benefit of the groups in identifying their successes and limitations, but also to offer accountability and transparency regarding spent funds.

You will also be required to submit an informal progress report to BirdLife Australia midway through the project.

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Acknowledgement of funding source

As a requirement of this grant, you must acknowledge the Australian Government’s Caring for our Country and BirdLife Australia in any promotional activities including but not limited to :

• Events, activities and public relations activities such as workshops or conferences;

• Media releases, media activities including newspaper and radio interviews;

• Display materials such as banners, posters and on-ground project signs;

• Publications such as reports, books, fact sheets and web information.

The following wording is to be used: This project is supported by [project proponent's name] and BirdLife Australia, through funding from the Australian Government's Caring for our Country.

All display materials, publications, websites and where possible media releases should also include the Caring for our Country logo and BirdLife Australia logo, as provided. Prior to production, please run awareness products or signage past the BNB team to ensure the conservation messaging is consistent with BirdLife Australia Beach-nesting Birds program.

Application details

To apply, please submit the application form by the closing date, either in the post or via email. The closing date is 26th November 2012, by close of business.

Post: Suite 2-05, 60 Leicester St, Carlton, VIC 3053Email: grainne.maguire@birdlife.org.au

Enquiries can be directed to the BNB team at our general email address: hoodedplover@birdlife.org.au or phone (03) 9347 0757

Please refer to the check list below prior to submitting your application. Completion of all sections of the application form where required Community groups must have written permission of the land manager on whose

land the project will take place (Part B) Have you established whether a permit is required to undertake an activity (e.g.

awareness raising event on council property); A project application must include a budget, excluding GST; That the project can be completed in the allocated time frame (by 30 June 2013); Application submitted by 26th Nov 2012.

Grant timeline26 th November 2012: Application closing date.

5 th December 2012: Notification of success.

7 th December 2012: Start date for projects.

29 th March 2013: Informal progress report.

30 th June 2013: Finish date for projects.

27 th July 2013: Final report due (Appendix 1 reporting templates).

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BirdLife Australia’s Beach-nesting Birds Small Grant Application FormPart A: Community Group Details

Group name:

Contact person: Title: First

name:Last name:

Position Title:

Postal address:

Town/Suburb: State: Postcode:

Phone: (BH) Mobile:

Email:

Part B: Land Manager’s Details (must have if planning an on-ground project)

Name of land manager agency:

Person who is authorised to agree to on-ground work on behalf of the land manger.

Title: First name:

Last name:

Position title:

Postal address:

Town/Suburb: State: Postcode:

Phone: Mobile:

Email:

Signature of land manager spokesperson

Date: ____ / ____ /2012

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Part C: Project details

Project title:(20 word maximum)

On-ground conservation

Y / N Awareness raising

Y / N Research Y / N

Total amount requested (excluding GST):

Location of project:State: Region (e.g.

Fleurieu Peninsula):

Specific coastal site names (Please attach a map):

Expected Start Date: Expected End Date:

What are you going to do? (Project summary – 200 words maximum)

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Part D: Detailed Project DesignProblem Definition: Describe the specific challenge you will try to address and why it is significant. Include causes of the problem and whether it is a local or regional issue.

Objective: List the specific objectives of your project.

Partnerships: In addition to Land Managers approval (where required), are there other organisations or groups involved in the project? If providing additional funding to the project, please indicate contributors of the funds.

Project Implementation: How will you implement your idea? List and describe the specific steps you will take to meet your objective(s).

Innovation: How is your project idea innovative or unique?

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Expected Results: Please state the expected results of your project and its contribution to beach-nesting bird conservation in the short and long-term.

MERI reporting: Have you read Appendix 1 : MERI reporting templates and are you able to meet these requirements ? Y / N

If no, why ?

Please note if you are successful in your application, you will need to discuss your MERI plan with the BNB team. We will require some degree of quantification of the success of your activity. For example, instead of stating that the fencing you put in place reduced human activity in the dunes, we would prefer something along the lines of there was 3% coverage of human prints within the fenced area compared to 60% within the adjacent dune outside the fenced area. For community awareness, it may be that you have a ‘voting ballot box’ (Vote 1 : We learnt something and will make a change; Vote 2 : We learnt something new; Vote 3 : We haven’t learnt anything new) at your events table where people can express their feedback in a quick way.

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Part E: Activities and financial requirementsProvide a list of the major activities of your project. For each activity identify when they will be completed, the grant funds required and the funds (cash or in-kind) that will be contributed.

Description of key activities(Please give as much detail as possible; see example)

Completion date Cost per

unit/hourTotal

number units/hours

Funds required

(GST exclusive)

Additional cash or in-kind*

$ amount

Source of other

contribution

e.g. Wood and screws for building chick shelters Jan 2013 $10/shelter 10 shelters $100 $50 (2 x construction hours)

Friends group

TOTAL $ $

* An in-kind contribution is a non-cash input which can be given a cash value, for example the number of hours volunteers invest in this project – this can be calculated at a rate of $25.00 per hour.

Appendix 1: MERI Reporting Templates1. On-ground management

Description of on-ground activity

List materials purchased and quantity

Name of contractor used if applicable

In-kind hours invested in project component

Number of sites

Sites (incl. latitude and longitude)

Attached map?Yes or No

Size of area protected (e.g. linear metres of beach)

Photos before and after? Yes or No

e.g. Permanent fencing of nesting dune blowout

40 Posts and 160 m of ringlock wire

Mr John Smith, Fences R Us, Moorabbin VIC

10 hours 1 Portsea Ocean beach -38.338774, 144.712081

Yes 150 m Yes

How did you monitor the effectiveness of your on-ground works? e.g. coverage of footprints inside and outside fenced area; observations of beach users at the site; observations of chicks using shelters; etc.

Please report on the effectiveness of your on-ground works as revealed by the monitoring above. Please include graphs or photographs if helpful.

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2. Awareness Raisinga. Products or materialsDescription of awareness material

Name of graphic designer or company used if applicable

In-kind hours invested in project component

Method of distribution?

Location or target audience

Number of copies distributed?

Attached copy of product?Yes or No

e.g. Dogs on beaches brochure Brochures R Us, Melbourne VIC

45 hours Events, email, physical distribution

Events below; Local Vets and dog trainers; Friends group email list

1000 Yes

b. Awareness events and activities (please list each event or activity separately)

Description of awareness event

List materials distributed at event if applicable*

Date of event Location of event

Number of attendees?

In-kind hours invested in project component

Photos of events if applicable?Yes or No

e.g. Stall at market running kids craft activity (calico bag painting)

Stencilled calico bags; Paint; Wing Thing activity books; Stickers and swapcards; ‘birds on beaches’ Brochure

21/12/12 Boneo Monthly Market, Boneo, VIC

96 21 hours Yes

* Please note you are welcome to make requests of the BNB team for particular materials (e.g. Wing Thing magazines; My Hoodie guides; etc) and we can do our best to make them available if we have enough in stock.

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How did you monitor the effectiveness of your awareness product and/or event? e.g. feedback form or ballot on table; survey of audience before and after; etc.

Please report on the effectiveness of your awareness product and/or event as revealed by the monitoring above. Please include statistics, graphs or feedback quotes if helpful.

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3. ResearchIf you have written up your research in an alternative report format, please contact the BNB team to see if this can be submitted in place of the below.

What is the theme relating to beach-nesting birds and their conservation that you are addressing?

What is your specific research question? Include your research aims here.

What led to the development of this specific research question being asked? (e.g. filling information gap; trailing new conservation technique; novel way to approach awareness raising or conservation; etc)

Methods of research

Study area (include a map)

Results (include statistics and graphs where appropriate)

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Discussion and conclusions

References

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