The purpose of the Protection of the Environment Trust management committee (POET) is to promote the protection and enhancement of the natural environment, providing information, education or research about the natural environment, particularly in relation to the flora and fauna of the area. 

To achieve this, the committee runs an annual grants program to support the delivery of projects that contribute to the purpose of the Trust. 

Council is the trustee of the Protection of the Environment Trust and has appointed the POET management committee to recommend how the trustee should deal with trust assets.