The federal funding was given to the Tamworth Regional Landcare Association, who then awarded it to 14 projects throughout the region.

Regional Land Care facilitator Felicity Steel said the funding wasn’t just for planting trees, it allowed community groups to tackle projects of their own choosing.

Deputy Prime Minister and New England MP Barnaby Joyce said the locally invested funding would deliver real and targeted change to the environment.

“This is crucial because farmers, land carers and community groups know what works best for their properties, environment and their communities,” Mr Joyce said.

The Pub Angling club received $5000 for the Tamworth Regional Carp Muster of Lake Keepit and the Peel River, while Tamworth Urban Land Care got $3580 for a native bee workshop.

Tamworth Mountain Bike Club will use its $4100 for a revegetation project.

Club spokeswoman Rebecca Mair said large native trees had already been planted throughout the track.

“We’ve got gumtrees and kurrajongs for shade and protection from the road, and we’ll be adding smaller ground cover and medium shrubs which will build that under story that is really missing from the livestock that were here over the years,” Ms Mair said.

All projects will be completed by May next year.