The Western Australian and Australian Governments provide funding for NRM activities.

Significant amounts are also spent on NRM activities by State Government agencies through their own programs.

There are three main sources of  funding for NRM activities. These are the  Natural Heritage Trust (NHT),  National Action Plan for Salinity and Water Quality (NAP), and the National Landcare Program. On the 14 March 2008, the Australian Government launched its new NRM program, the Caring for our Country program. This will start on July 1 2008. Further details can be obtained from the website.


Natural Heritage Trust (NHT) 
The Natural Heritage Trust was set up in 1997 to help restore and conserve Australia's environment and natural resources. Since then, thousands of community groups have received funding for environmental and natural resource management projects in what has become the largest environmental rescue plan ever undertaken in Australia.

In the 2001 Federal Budget, the Federal Government announced an additional $1 billion for the Trust, extending the funding for five more years. Of this additional $1 billion, the Government expects to spend at least $350 million on measures to improve Australia's water quality.

In July 2003, an investment package of $(insert total dollars) million for environmental projects in Western Australia was announced for 2003-2004.

Four major programs are being funded through the extension of the Natural Heritage Trust.

• The Landcare Program will invest in activities that contribute to reversing land degradation and promoting sustainable agriculture.
• The Bushcare Program will invest in activities that contribute to conserving and restoring habitat for the unique native flora and fauna which underpins the health of our landscapes.
• The Rivercare Program will invest in activities that contribute to the improved water quality and environmental condition in our river systems and wetlands.
• The Coastcare Program will invest in activities that contribute to protecting our coastal catchments, ecosystems and the marine environment.

For more information on the whole NHT program, visit  www.nht.gov.au/

National Action Plan for Salinity and Water Quality
The National Action Plan for Salinity and Water Quality (NAP) specifically targets rising salinity and deteriorating water quality across Australia.
The WA and Federal Governments endorsed the program in November 2000.

The NAP program in Western Australia is jointly funded by the Commonwealth and State governments for a total of (insert total dollars) million to address salinity and water quality issues in six priority regions in Western Australia.
 
For national information, go to www.napswq.gov.au

National Landcare Program
The National Landcare Program (NLP) is a longstanding program of the federal Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry which supports the landcare movement and the sustainable use and management of natural resources.

It encourages landholders to undertake landcare and related conservation works by supporting collective action by communities.

The NLP has been effective in encouraging farmers to adopt sustainable management practices and improve their productivity, profitability and the condition of natural resources, both on and off farms. Landcare is also strong in regional towns and metropolitan centres.

The Australian Government has ensured continuity of funding until 2007-08. 

Further information about the NLP is available at the website of the federal Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry at  http://www.affa.gov.au/ (select ‘landcare’ from the drop down search menu).