Backgrounder

Contributions under the EcoAction Community Funding Program in Manitoba in 2010-2011

Proponent	Project Title	Contribution under the EcoAction Community Funding Program	Location	Project Description
Green Action Centre	Climate Friendly School Travel Planning	$100,000	Winnipeg, MB	This project will develop and deliver workshops on school travel planning to school divisions and municipalities across Manitoba. Through these activities, local volunteers will be trained to facilitate the development of school travel plans that will include safe walking and cycling routes with clear signage, walking school buses, and safety training for students. In addition to important community benefits, key environmental results will be reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and air pollutants in the area around the schools.
The Pas Community Renewal Corporation	Community EcoHealth Project	$63,964	The Pas, MB	This project will begin by collecting information on transportation practices to identify strategic ways to improve air quality in the community. Local employers and organizations will promote engaging environmental challenges focused on clean air. Drivers in the community will be encouraged to reduce vehicle use. For the broader community, outreach on environmental sustainability topics will include the benefits of planting trees and shrubs to combat growing emissions.
Spence Neighborhood Association Incorporated	Community Greenhouse Project – Phase Two	$29,480	Winnipeg, MB	The second phase of this project will engage the local community in creating a natural space from a derelict parking lot. Residents will plan, plant a community greenhouse that will provide a local food source and increase appreciation for nature and natural spaces. Establishing the community garden will incorporate learning opportunities, water conservation techniques, waste reduction, native plants, urban wildlife, and building with recycled materials.
The Nature Conservancy of Canada – Manitoba Region	The Conservation of Biodiversity by Engaging Communities and Volunteers of Southern Manitoba	$19,449	Winnipeg, MB	This project will engage communities and volunteers in southern Manitoba to help the Nature Conservancy of Canada care for ecologically significant lands. Volunteer events are designed to maintain and enhance biodiversity through meaningful, hands-on educational experiences including inventories of species and habitats, site restoration work and aspen encroachment control.

For more information on the EcoAction Community Funding Program, please visit the Environment Canada website at www.ec.gc.ca/ecoaction.