KAWARTHA LAKES, Ont. – March 11, 2013 – Chris Alexander, Member of Parliament for Ajax—Pickering, on behalf of Canada’s Environment Minister, the Honourable Peter Kent, today announced funding from the EcoAction Community Funding Program for a new environmental project in Pigeon Lake, near Lindsay, Ontario. The Gamiing Nature Centre will receive $71,402 in federal funding over three years to support local action to improve water quality and aquatic habitat while increasing ecosystem biodiversity.
“Protecting our environment must begin at the community level,” said M.P. Alexander. “By supporting local action projects, our government is ensuring the long-term sustainability and improvement of our local habitats and shorelines, while encouraging and educating our community members on the importance of maintaining and improving biodiversity.”
“Our government is taking real action to address the environmental priorities of Canadians and ensure we have clean air, clean water, and biologically diverse land for generations to come,” said Minister Kent. “EcoAction Community Funding supports community groups across the country willing to take concrete action through on-the-ground environmental projects. We are proud to partner with these organizations that are committed to conserving Canada’s natural legacy.”
The project will improve water quality and sustain and improve biodiversity in Pigeon Lake. Activities such as the planting of 5,000 native shrubs and plants and the installation of several wildlife structures will help to enhance and protect the shoreline. Community members will be educated on the importance of maintaining natural shorelines to improve water quality and health.
“Gamiing Nature Centre thanks Environment Canada’s EcoAction Community Funding Program for their continuing support of our shoreline restoration and naturalization projects. The funding allows us to restore shorelines and offer education programs for the community,” said Mieke Schipper, Volunteer Executive Director, Gamiing Nature Centre.
The EcoAction Community Funding Program supports projects that rehabilitate, protect or enhance the natural environment, and builds the capacity of communities and individuals to ensure future protection. This year, the Government of Canada is providing over $4 million for over 100 new projects under this Program.
More information about the EcoAction Community Funding Program.
