Largest funding round in program’s history to protect Ontario’s air, land and water
NEWS
LAMBTON-KENT-MIDDLESEX —The Ontario government is investing $163,140 total in Scouts Canada, Lakeshore Eco Network, and the Municipality of Middlesex Centre to build cleaner, healthier communities and strong local economies in Lambton-Kent-Middlesex. This funding will support the following projects:
- Scouts Canada receiving $58,040 for their project to restore the balance of the eco system of the endangered environmentally significant Oak Savanna Forest at Camp Attawandaron. They will restore the Oak Savanna habitat by replacing invasive plantation forest with native species while engaging youth in hands on environmental education.
- Lakeshore Eco Network receiving $45,500 for their Tree People, an Urban Reforestation Project (Phase 1), which includes planting thousands of trees to expand urban forest cover in Lambton Shores through phased community reforestation.
- Municipality of Middlesex Centre receiving $59,600 to enhance Medway Creek through community tree planting, restoring riparian zones through targeted tree planting, and community engagement to improve water quality and biodiversity.
This investment is part of a historic $3 million allocated this year through the Ontario Community Environment Fund – marking the largest round of funding in the program’s history and delivering on the government’s plan to protect Ontario by using penalties paid by polluters to fund projects that protect Ontario’s land, air and water such as shoreline cleanups, habitat restoration and tree planting.
“Our government is proud to support community-led projects that deliver real environmental benefits where people live, work and raise their families,” said Todd McCarthy, Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks. “Companies that break Ontario’s environmental rules are held accountable for it, and by putting that money back to work, we can empower our local partners with the resources they need to support their communities, protect our shared environment, and ensure Ontario’s natural spaces can be cherished for generations to come.”
“Protecting our environment starts with investing in the communities that know it best. This funding will support local organizations and municipalities in restoring natural habitats, planting thousands of trees, improving water quality, and giving young people opportunities to get involved in environmental stewardship. I’m proud to see these projects strengthening the health of our communities while helping preserve the natural spaces that make Lambton-Kent-Middlesex a great place to call home.” said Steve Pinsonneault, MPP for Lambton-Kent-Middlesex.
Since 2010, the Ontario Community Environment Fund has invested over $6.74 million from environmental penalties into 134 projects across the province.
See the full list of projects receiving funding this year.
As part of its plan to protect Ontario, the province will continue to hold polluters accountable while supporting cleaner, healthier and more resilient communities across the province.
QUICK FACTS
- Since 2010, the Ontario Community Environment Fund has invested more than $6.74 million from environmental penalties into 134 projects, engaging volunteers in over 29,000 hours of activities such as planting over 829,000 trees, shrubs and plants, restoring over 55 km of shoreline and 1,597 acres of land (646 hectares), and collecting over 2,000 bags of litter.
- For this funding round, over $1,602,000 was available in Southwestern Ontario, over $721,000 in West Central Ontario, and over $585,000 in Northern Ontario.
- The Ontario Community Environment Fund uses funds collected through environmental penalties issued to facilities in nine industrial sectors and specific landfilling sites when certain violations occur.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
MEDIA CONTACT
Kara Carther
Communications Coordinator
Office of MPP Steve Pinsonneault
Lambton-Kent-Middlesex