Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta, September 22, 2011 -- The Honourable Peter Kent, Canada’s Environment Minister and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, today expressed appreciation to The W. Garfield Weston Foundation for its support of an innovative outdoor education camp for youth. The Ecosystem Investigators Camp is an overnight outdoor educational activity that brings Grade 5 students from urban and local, rural and First Nations schools to Waterton Lakes National Park to enjoy nature and learn of the ecological importance of the Alberta landscape. “Canada’s future lies in the hands of its young people,” said Minister Kent. “I am pleased the Government of Canada is able to work with The W. Garfield Weston Foundation to give youth this opportunity to learn about and experience a connection to our country’s treasured places.”
The W. Garfield Weston Foundation is providing $462,790 in funding to support the Parks Canada’s Ecosystem Investigators Camp for three years. The grant will support transportation, accommodation and meals for all participants. During the camp, students learn about ecological integrity issues facing Southern Alberta and are empowered to make positive changes for the environment regardless of where they live.
“We are pleased to announce our support for the Ecosystem Investigators camps during Parks Canada’s centennial celebrations,” said Camilla Dalglish, Director of The W. Garfield Weston Foundation. “Our Foundation has supported environmental education initiatives for over 10 years and we are proud to see this work continue through the ESI camp which encourages students to actively contribute to healthy ecosystems. This is a wonderful complement to our Foundation’s conservation of over 30,000 acres in Waterton Park Front, adjacent to this magnificent national park.”
The W. Garfield Weston Foundation is a private Canadian family foundation established in the 1950’s by Willard Garfield Weston and his wife Reta. In 1924, Mr. Weston inherited his father’s company and during his life established bakeries and other successful enterprises in Canada and in many parts of the world. The founders believed that, as funds are generated through the work and success of Canadian companies, grants should be given in Canada for the benefit of Canadians. The Foundation directs most of its funds to projects in the fields of land conservation, education, and science in Canada’s North.
Parks Canada works to ensure Canada’s historic and natural heritage is protected and, through a network of 42 national parks, 167 national historic sites, and four national marine conservation areas, invites Canadians and people around the world to engage in personal moments of inspiring discovery at our treasured natural and historic places.
For additional information, please see the accompanying backgrounder at www.parkscanada.gc.ca under Media Room.
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Information:
Locke Marshall
A/Superintendent
Waterton Lakes Field Unit
Parks Canada
403-859-5121
www.twitter.com/parkscanada
Susan Cohen
Executive Director
The W. Garfield Weston Foundation
416-922-2500
Backgrounder associated with this News Release.
Waterton Ecosystem Investigators Camp
