The State Natural Resource Management (NRM) Program is an initiative of the Western Australian Government. The program recognises the efforts of local, not-for-profit and volunteer-based NRM groups and networks in WA. We support these groups to achieve on-ground outcomes and expand their influence and impact into the wider community.
The State NRM Program is designed to conserve and sustainably manage the state’s natural resources by supporting community groups with information and grant funding.
Grants are available through the State NRM Program:
NRM approach
Natural resource management is the sustainable management of land, water, atmosphere and biodiversity resources for the benefit of existing and future generations, and for the maintenance of life support capability of the biosphere.
By taking a landscape approach, the management of production and conservation can be integrated across land and water boundaries. This approach recognises the importance of managing natural resources to deliver economic and social wellbeing for people and industry for the long term, while maintaining integral habitat for the plethora of native species that rely on that habitat for their survival.
Program investment priorities
The WA Government’s investment in natural resource management is guided by the WA Natural Resource Management Framework.
The Framework recognises the value of partnerships in protecting and managing WA’s natural resources, and outlines 6 priorities for coordinated NRM in WA:
- sustainable management of land resources
- maintain and enhance water assets
- protect and enhance the marine and coastal environment
- conserve and recover biodiversity
- enhance skills, capability and engagement
- deliver high-quality planning that leads to effective action.
These priorities guide the outcomes and investment priorities for the Community Stewardship Grants.
The WA NRM Framework sets out the WA Government’s direction for working together in partnership to manage WA’s natural resources for the future, and guides the direction of the State NRM Program.
Program outcomes
The WA Government has committed just over $82 million to the program from 2015 to 2025. The State NRM Program has supported more than 850 projects with more than $72 million in grants from 2015 to 2024. This has allowed more than 300 community groups and organisations, industry groups, local governments, schools and Aboriginal organisations to achieve results in their local environments. These groups and their partners have contributed more than $200 million of their own funds and effort.
The activities funded by the State NRM Program have protected, conserved and restored biodiversity and natural resources in a range of environments across the state, including:
- coastal and marine
- agricultural, pastoral and urban
- river and estuarine
- bushland reserves and national parks
- wildlife sanctuaries.
The State NRM Program also supports other agencies to deliver complementary grants to support and enhance natural resource management, such as the Feral Cat Management Grants which are funded by the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, and the Ex TC Ellie - Environment Heritage and Culture Flexible Grants Category D which are funded through the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements led by the Department of Fire and Emergency Services.