Grants
We fund research and environmental education using funds from sales of our publications and donations and bequests made to our Environmental Protection Fund.
Projects must contribute to the knowledge that will assist the conservation of bushland in the Sydney region, e.g. flora and fauna studies, biodiversity, and management issues such as chemical pollution, weed invasion, erosion control and controlled burns.
Research grants
We will fund projects up to $5000 to researchers (other than honours, masters and PhD students) who are studying any aspect of urban bushland in the Sydney region. To apply, complete this application form.
In 2023 Vanessa McPherson received a grant for her project Fungal Biodiversity: Diversity, Distribution and DNA
Annual Research Grant for the Conservation of Bushland
Applications for the 2027 research grant of $2500 are welcomed from honours, masters and PhD students. To apply, complete this application form electronically, save it and email it to secretary@step.org.au by 31 March 2027. We will announce the winner by 30 April 2027.
2026
Georgie Brennan (School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Sydney, PhD) Understanding Generalist Pollination Systems in Australian Native Flora: A Case Study with Sydney Dwarf Apple Gum Angophora hispida
2024
Solomon Maerowitz-McMahan (Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment, Western Sydney University, PhD) Exploring Mycorrhizal Resilience: Insights from Post-hazard Reduction Burns in Ku-ring-gai Chase Forests
2023
Margarita Gil-Fernández (Macquarie University, PhD) Mycorrhizal Fungal Diversity Associated with Small Mammals in Response to Anthropogenic Disturbance
2022
Chantelle Doyle (UNSW, PhD) Ecology of the Critically Endangered Hibbertia spanantha (interview about Chantelle's work on how genetic rescue helps struggling native plant species on The Science Show)
2021
Erin Rogers (Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment, Western Sydney University, Master of Research) Phosphorus Liberation on Low Fertility Soils with Fire: How does it Affect the Re-growth Capacity of Native Plants?
Note: Data from North Head was included in this paper by Kazi Mehnaz, Erin Rogers and David Ellsworth (2026) Leaf phosphorus allocation and photosynthesis in native Australian plants differs between soil parent material types, Plant Soil https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-026-08407-9.
2020
Ruby Paroissien (UNSW, honours) Impact of Changes in Fire Seasonality on the Reproductive Success of the Post-fire Flowering Species, Doryanthes excelsa
Note: Ruby's research was published in Environmental and Experimental Botany, vol 192, Dec 2021, 104634. You can also download a PDF of the paper, Effects of fire season on the reproductive success of the post-fire flowerer Doryanthes excelsa.
2019
Gabriella Hoban (UNSW, honours) Soil Characteristics as Indicators of Restoration Trajectories in Urban Woodlands
2018
Katie Rolls (Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment, Western Sydney University, PhD) Adaptive Capacity of Widespread and Threatened Acacia Species to Climate Change
Education grants
Education grants of up to $5000 are available to primary and high schools children for projects that promote awareness of the value of urban bushland, educate students or the community on how to minimise their impact on urban bushland, or restore a natural habitat – to apply, complete this application form.
2026
UV torches for Gibberagong Environmental Education Centre
2025
Night vision binoculars for Gibberagong Environmental Education Centre
2019
Children’s Threatened Species Art Competition
2018
Children’s Threatened Species Art Competition
2017
Children’s Threatened Species Art Competition
2009
To raise awareness of climate change we supported an educational event to support International Day of Climate Action
2008
Turramurra High School for environmental school ground projects
2007
Warrawee Primary School for bushland maintenance
2006
St Ives Park Primary School for development of a bushland area
2003
Warrawee Primary School to implemented a program to increase student appreciation and awareness of native tress
Ku-ring-gai Creative Arts High School to restore native bushland by removing the invading exotic Agapanthus and replanting with local species
2002
Turramurra North Primary School to plant native trees
Pymble Primary School to establish a worm farm
2001
Turramurra Primary School for weed education
Warrawee Primary School for the creation of native gardens
To encourage and reward research and education on environmental issues STEP aligned with Young Scientist and donated a prize for the best environmental project. In 2026 the Science Teachers Association of New South Wales decided not to include special prizes and so our association with them was discontinued.
2025
Cooper Tamayo (Elizabeth Macarthur High School)
Tree-mendous preferences: The housing market according to little forest bats
2024
Beatrix Farley (Loreto Kirribilli)
Investigation into the change in microplastic abundance along the eastern coast of Australia from 2018 to 2024
2023
Isabelle Fisher (Roseville College)
Investigating the effects of an established arbuscular mycorrhizal network on seed germination and seedling growth for Acacia linifolia and Acacia ulicifolia
2022
Lily Rafail (PLC Sydney)
Water Hyssop (Bacopa monnieri) and Avocado Skin Powder can Alter the Amount of Heavy Metals in Aquatic Environments
2021
Chloe LeMap (PLC Sydney)
Cool the Sand, Save the Sea Turtles
2020
Maja Dalby-Ball Olson (Barrenjoey High School)
Variation in Flammability in the Flora in the Sydney Sandstone Vegetation Community
2019
Suzanne Jones (Redeemer Baptist School)
The Call of the Wild: A Phrenological Study of Circadas in Lake Parramatta Reserve
2018
Beatrix Farley (Castle Cove Public School)
Are there Microplastics on the Beaches of Australia’s East Coast?
2017
Evette Khaziran (Redeemer Baptist School)
Give me a Home among the Gum Trees
2016
Jade Moxey (Sapphire Coast Anglican College)
Grazing Sheep on Deadly Fireweed: A BaaaaD Situation?
2015
Jade Moxey (Sapphire Coast Anglican College)
The Spread of Seeds through Cattle
2014
Nicole Sung (PLC Sydney)
Recycling of Grey Water
2013
Aiden Giragossian (Barker College)
Biofuel: Ethanol towards a Greener and Secure Energy Future
2012
Daniel Dell’Armi (De La Salle Revesby Heights)
Is the Dye-pigment Solar Cell the Solution to our Scarce Amount of Renewable Energy Sources?
Highly commended Aoife Hogan (Hills Grammar School)
Miscanthus – Fuel of the Future?
2011
Hilary Knowles (Chevalier College)
What is the Best Method of Filtering Pond Water to Make it Drinkable?
2010
Meena Sritharan (Strathfield Girls High School)
How to Clean Up an Oil Spill: Does the Water Temperature of the Ocean Affect the Time to Clean up an Oil Spill?
2009
Rebecca Dawkins (Sydney Girls High School)
Effect of Colour and Roofing Material on House Temperature
2008
Sam Wightman (Mullumbimby High School)
Acidic Rain Water from Acid Sulphate Soils
Highly commended: Jessica Dunn (Bowral High School)
Do Willows Affect the Quality of Water in Rivers?
2007
Nina Pinto (Hornsby Girls High School)
The Habitat of the Marine Snail, Nerita atramentosa, and the Tenacity of its Foot in Various Salinities
Highly commended: Ellenore Forrester (Redeemer Baptist School, Parramatta) for her excellent research into an Enviropump
2006
Robbie Bishop-Taylor (Great Lakes College, Forster Campus)
The Identification of Critical Salinity Thresholds for Upper Estuarine Plants
2005
Laura Woollacott
An Investigation into the Pollution Stopper and its Effects on the Water Quality of Moores Creek
2004
Daniel Tracey (Barker College)
Analysing the Effects of Different Types of Grey Water on Plants
Highly commended: David Llewellyn (Great Lakes College)
Investigating the Effect of Riparian Weeds on Stream Invertebrates
2003
Andrew Stewart (Karabar Distance Education Centre)
Artificial Wetlands: Can Carex appressa Prevent Eutrophication in Australian Waterways?
2002
Gregory Howe (Fort Street High School)
Feral Fish: Is the Plague Minnow in the Myall River System?
2001
Lui Weber (Wollumbin High School) conducted a survey on the endangered red-fruited ebony, Diospyros mabacea
