Growing Connections

Known as "Growing Connections" for short, this project is officially named "Connecting and Improving Habitat Corridors Regionally to Create a Biodiverse, Resilient Western Port Biosphere". Delivered by the Western Port Biosphere Reserve Foundation with support from the Australian Government’s Clean Energy Future Biodiversity Fund.

The project will deliver key strategic documents for the Biosphere, providing a single vision for the protection and enhancement of biodiversity into the future

  • Funding: $2,267,100
  • In kind: $1,662,000
  • Timeframe: 6 year project delivered in 5 calendar years
  • Who: Over 25 key stakeholders
  • Contact: Chris Chambers, Project Coordinator “Growing Connections”, c/o Western Port Biosphere, ph. 03 5979 2167, email chris@biosphere.org.au

Project outcomes:

  • Expanded cooperative strategic management
  • Enhanced quality of existing biodiversity reserves
  • Clear statements of carbon sequestration
  • Cooperation across the biosphere’s entire population, supporting local government and government agencies to improve the health of landscapes and integration of budgetary allocations where appropriate
  • Develop a Biodiversity Action Plan for the Biosphere
  • Support for Ramsar nomination
  • Improve landscape function through targeted revegetation
  • A rigorous monitoring program of not only project delivery but of the health of biodiversity across the Biosphere
  • Application of innovative technologies, including carbon capture measurements and a biosphere-wide GIS environment
  • Appropriate governance and adaptive management applied throughout the delivery of the project

Further information: Project overview, February 2013

Project overview, February 2013

Help shape the 20-year vision for protecting the Biosphere's biodiversity at the Growing Connections workshop at Pakenham on 3 May 2013.