PETERBOROUGH, Ont. --
July 22, 2010 -- On behalf of Canada's Environment
Minister, the Honourable Jim Prentice, Dean
Del Mastro, Member of Parliament for Peterborough,
today announced funding from the EcoAction
Community Funding Program for a new environmental
project in Peterborough, Ontario. In total,
$89,000 in federal funding will support
local action to reduce pollution,
improve air and water quality, and protect
wildlife and natural habitat.
"Environment Canada's
EcoAction Community Funding Program supports
projects that have measurable, positive
impacts on the environment," said M.P.
Del Mastro. "The Shoreline Stewardship
and Freshwater Conservation project is an
example of the real action that takes place
in our local communities to protect Canada's
natural resources."
"This government
is committed to addressing the environmental
priorities of Canadians," said Minister
Prentice. "We are proud to support
community groups across the country willing
to take concrete action through on-the-ground
environmental projects that will achieve
a more sustainable Canada. Your actions,
large or small, will help to protect the
abundance and variety of life that is part
of our natural heritage."
The Shoreline Stewardship
and Freshwater Conservation project will
improve the quality of freshwater outputs
from agricultural properties. The project
will also increase biodiversity and habitat
for fish and birds that are dependant on
natural shorelines. The project will include
livestock exclusion activities, the installation
of five solar-powered alternative watering
systems, and erosion control and habitat
management activities. In addition, seminars
and workshops will be offered to inform
real estate agents and cottage owners about
their role as lake stewards and to encourage
lake-based businesses to adopt lake-friendly
business practices.
"Waterfront property
owners have become increasingly concerned
about their individual impacts on the surrounding
environment and are seeking tools that will
enable them to enhance and protect their
aquatic resources," said Michael Gibbs,
Lakeland Alliance Coordinator. "This
project funding is needed as an incentive
for agricultural operations to plan environmental
improvements for these properties and contribute
to protecting the natural environment."
The EcoAction Community
Funding Program is a Government of Canada
initiative that supports projects that rehabilitate,
protect or enhance the natural environment,
and builds the capacity of communities and
individuals in support of a more sustainable
Canada. The project announced today will
assist locally-based, non-profit organizations
in initiating actions that result in cleaner
air, reductions in greenhouse gas emissions,
cleaner water, and the protection of nature
at the local community level.
More information about
the EcoAction Community Funding Program
is available on Environment Canada's website,
at http://www.ec.gc.ca/ecoaction.
+ More
Government of Canada
Invest in Community Environmental Projects
in Southern Alberta
LETHBRIDGE, Alta. -
July 15, 2010 - Rick Casson, Member of Parliament
for Lethbridge, on behalf of Canada's Environment
Minister, the Honourable Jim Prentice, today
announced funding from the EcoAction Community
Funding Program for two new environmental
projects in the Lethbridge, Alberta area.
In total, $144,500 in federal funding will
support local action to reduce pollution,
improve air and water quality, and protect
wildlife and natural habitat.
"As part of the
International Year of Biodiversity, the
Government of Canada is helping communities
and their citizens enjoy cleaner air, water
and land. The EcoAction Community Funding
program is a concrete example of how we
are supporting projects under this program.
We believe on the ground activities like
these can and will make a difference,"
said Mr. Casson.
"This government
is committed to addressing the environmental
priorities of Canadians," said Minister
Prentice. "We are proud to support
community groups across the country willing
to take concrete action through on-the-ground
environmental projects that will achieve
a more sustainable Canada. Your actions,
large or small, will help to protect the
abundance and variety of life that is part
of our natural heritage."
The two projects in
the Lethbridge area receiving funds address
the issues facing riparian areas in southern
Alberta.
"The Alberta Riparian
Habitat Management Society, better known
as Cows and Fish, will be engaging the public
to better understand Alberta's valuable
riparian areas," said Norine Ambrose,
Program Director. "Our project activities
include presentations, field days and youth
events and workshops that will lead to healthier
streams and cleaner water."
The Alberta Birds of
Prey Foundation's "Water, Wings &
Wetlands" project will preserve wetlands
around the Birds of Prey Centre's seventy
acre Coaldale facility. "The restoration
project provides an opportunity to engage
and educate visitors in preserving wetlands
biodiversity," said Colin Weir, the
Managing Director. "Activities include
stabilizing portions of eroded shoreline,
planting native trees and shrubs, installing
nest structures and interpretive signs to
explain the techniques and benefits of preserving
wetlands."
The EcoAction Community
Funding Program is a Government of Canada
initiative that supports projects that rehabilitate,
protect or enhance the natural environment,
and builds the capacity of communities and
individuals in support of a more sustainable
Canada. The two projects announced today
will assist locally-based, non-profit organizations
in initiating actions that result in cleaner
air, reductions in greenhouse gas emissions,
cleaner water, and the protection of nature
at the local community level.
More information about
the EcoAction Community Funding Program
is available on Environment Canada's website
at the following address: www.ec.gc.ca/ecoaction.
