The Waterloo Regional Council has approved $149,992 in funding for 18 projects under the Community Environmental Fund (CEF) grant program this year.
Applicants receiving funding include 15 community organizations and three schools, with projects ranging from Kids Cutting Carbon and community gardens, to reusable takeout containers. (The full list of recipients and projects is included below).
Project Title | Regional Funding |
| Kids Cutting Carbon – Reep Green Solutions | $21,573.00 |
| Reusable Takeout Container Service Pilot for Waterloo Region – Ekko | $17,000.00 |
| Azheshkaa Neyaab Food Sovereignty Garden | $15,000.00 |
| Hespeler Masjid Solar Energy System | $13,225.00 |
| Water Quality Monitoring at Paradise Lake | $11,000.00 |
| Country Hills Community Gardens | $10,000.00 |
| Developing Educational Material and Activities with Schools in Waterloo Region on Air Quality Monitoring and Science – WLU | $10,000.00 |
| Access to Healthy Local Food – Littlefoot Grows a Shoe Size | $7,960.00 |
| Fencing and signage for sustainability of ComeUnity Roots Garden | $6,000.00 |
| Bees, Trees and a Grand View – A To Thrive Together Sustainable Living Project | $5,000.00 |
| New User Perceptions of the Stewardship of Greenspaces in Waterloo Region – UW | $5,000.00 |
| Our Farm Trail – KW Habilitation | $5,000.00 |
| Engaging Low-Income Residents in Climate Action -Social Development Centre of Waterloo Region | $5,000.00 |
| Assessing contaminant removal in Stormwater Management Ponds | $4,982.00 |
| Bee Region public awareness pollinator garden signs for home gardens | $4,715.00 |
| Ecological Restoration Project at The Working Centre Market Garden | $4,250.00 |
| Forestry and Botanical Work on the Branchton Village Land Trust Forest | $2,260.00 |
| Transforming a Defunct Ball Diamond into a Naturalized Learning Space – Sheppard PS | $2,027.00 |
Totals | $149,992.00 |
The Community Environmental Fund was established in 2011 to provide financial support to community environmental stewardship projects. Community members and organizations can apply for funding to carry out projects that protect, promote and enhance our natural environment. There are two funding streams, stewardship and sustainability.
Stewardship grants are for projects focused on: enhancing and restoring natural areas; naturalizing landscapes; acquiring ecologically significant natural areas; public education/awareness initiatives related to environmental stewardship; or research related to environmental stewardship.
Sustainability grants are for projects that: reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) and/or air emissions; increase energy conservation or efficiency; reduce or divert waste; or assist with Climate Change adaptation. Also eligible for sustainability grants are public education/awareness initiatives which promote long term behavioural change related to environmental sustainability or research related to environmental sustainability
“We are thrilled to see so many people working together on innovative projects that will help us reach our goal of 80 per cent emission reduction by 2050 as well as make our community more environmentally sustainable,” said Karen Redman, Regional Chair. “The Community Environmental Fund enables citizens to make a lasting impact on their surroundings.”
From 2010 to 2021, the Region has provided grants totalling nearly $1.8 million to over 220 environmental stewardship and sustainability projects. It’s estimated the Region’s funding support was multiplied more than three-fold through matching and in-kind support, for a total community investment of nearly $6 million.
Sources:
https://www.regionofwaterloo.ca/en/living-here/environmental-sustainability.aspx
