The Predator Free Backyards programme offers funding for communities who wish to trap predators in their backyards, in order to help native species thrive. We select outstanding predator free communities from around the country and give them funding to purchase trapping equipment. On top of that, we offer these groups ongoing support, information and advice.
Our goal is to have a trap in every 5th backyard in towns, suburbs and neighbourhoods in New Zealand Aotearoa who want to make their community predator free.
Funding round now open — closes 18 July 2021
To be eligible to apply for funding a community should be a suburb or town, or a community of rural houses clustered together. The programme specifically targets rats, stoats, ferrets, weasels and possums. It doesn’t cover reserves, lifestyle blocks, farms, councils or government land. But does include schools, marae and other community spaces eg community and scout halls, bowling clubs and RSA’s.
Funding covers the purchase of humane traps, pre-made tunnels and materials to make your own tunnels. Humane traps are those that have been tested and meet the National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee (NAWAC) standard.
Please take the time to review the FAQ’s below before completing your application.
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Who are our Predator Free Backyard communities?
We have supported over 66 predator free backyard communities around the country. Find out who they are here.
What kind of support do selected communities receive?
If you are selected as one of our Predator Free Backyard Communities, you will receive:
- Funding to enable the purchasing of equipment (traps and monitoring) and support material.
- Support to access best practice (people and information), capturing data/information etc, networks and connections with other predator control communities and leaders.
- Promotion through local and national media (where possible).
FAQs
Who can apply for funding?
Anyone can apply for funding – you don’t have to be a registered charity or conservation group. You just need to get together with a few like minded people in your community with urban backyards, work out what you’re aiming to do and how you plan to do it BUT make sure you answer the quick funding test below.
Quick test to see whether you qualify for funding
Given we run a residential backyard programme, it’s important that the size of your backyard isn’t too big! The easiest way for us to know whether you may qualify for funding is by answering the question below and whilst it may seem somewhat random, it’s a great indicator of how big your backyard really is!
How do you mow your lawn?
- if you mow it by foot, you’re residential, so yes
- if you need a ride-on mower, we consider you a lifestyle block, so unfortunately you’re not eligible for this funding.
- if you need a tractor, you’re probably a farm, so unfortunately you’re not eligible for this funding.
What support will we receive?
We are here to help you facilitate and set-up your predator free backyard community programme.
Support may include enabling you to organise community meetings, setting up a Facebook page, account management services, purchase of products and provision of support materials. We will work with successful communities to figure out the best support for them.
What introduced predators are targeted as part of this funding?
Our programme focuses on the removal of rats, possums, stoats, ferrets and weasels.
Does funding cover both rural and urban communities?
The funding is primarily for urban backyards but if you are a small rural village with houses close together then you may be eligible. The funding can also be used to place traps in other parts of your community such as your school, marae and other community spaces eg community and scout halls, bowling clubs and RSA’s. This programme doesn’t cover trapping on reserves, lifestyle blocks, farms, Council or Government land.
How much funding could we potentially receive and what will it cover?
Successful applicants will receive between $1,000 and $5,000. The amount you receive will depend on the size of your community and what you are trying to achieve. We will discuss individual needs with each successful community.
Funds may be used for the following:
- pre-trapping accessories such as chew cards, tracking tunnels etc.
- traps and pre-made tunnels
- building supplies for making tunnels (if required)
- advertising & marketing materials and some event costs (these by negotiation).
In New Zealand, trap use is regulated by the Animal Welfare Act 1999. To enable the welfare performance of traps to be assessed in a standardised way, the National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee (NAWAC) has developed a trap-testing guideline.
All traps available under our programme have passed/met NAWAC testing guidelines.
Can we sell our traps to our community?
We recommend you sell your traps at a reasonable and affordable price to your community. Prior experience has shown us that if people have to invest a small amount in their equipment they show more ownership and continue predator control for longer than if they are given free equipment. Selling your traps also enables you to invest in more equipment to make them available to more people.
How do we source products?
We will provide account management services to successful communities, including the purchase and supply of products.
What are the Trust’s expectations?
We are keen to share your stories about your predator activities – the good, the bad and the ugly. This helps others learn from your experiences and may encourage other communities to take up the predator free challenge.
We are keen to know how you are doing i.e. are you making any progress? So we are interested in seeing your results, the changes you are noticing etc.
What about pets?
Great care is being taken to avoid harm to pets. All the rat traps we supply come in tunnels that protect pets (and kids) from the trap itself.
As the leader/coordinator of the group what if my circumstances change or I want to handover responsibility?
This is a great question and something worth considering when setting up your community group and making your plan. You need to think about the support around you. It often works if there are a couple of leaders so there is a bit of backup. You can’t do it all on your own so it helps to have a few people around you to encourage others to get involved.
Other useful information
- Start a backyard group.
- Trapping best practice.