Canadians Go Wild this summer as 21 grants awarded

TORONTO, July 18, 2016 /CNW/ - Canadians across the country are about to go wild this summer through 21 newly awarded Go Wild Community Grants presented by TELUS.

The national program, now in its third-round of recipients, helps thousands of Canadians connect to nature with grants of $1,000 to $7,000. By investing in projects that protect, restore and celebrate nature, Go Wild is empowering communities to keep nature top of mind and take a leadership role in conserving the natural environment around them.

WWF-Canada received more than 255 innovative and inspiring proposals from community groups, individuals, schools and nonprofits from coast to coast to coast. The high level of interest in the grants demonstrates an eagerness on the part of Canadians to bring to life our connection to nature and make our actions count.

Some of the exciting ideas chosen include:

• Restoring a protected coastline trail in Gabarus, N.S.
• Monitoring the spring and fall movements of dragonflies and damselflies in Niagara Falls, Ont.
• Helping in-need individuals in Toronto rebuild skills and confidence through gardening and time spent in nature.
• Teaching schools and community groups about wildlife through geocaches in Medicine Hat, Alta.
• Creating boxes for cavity nesting birds in an area where historical habitat had been devastated by forest fire, causing birds to nest in weakened telephone and hydro-electric poles in Lumsden, Nfld.
• Constructing habitat for bees and butterflies in backyards and natural spaces in Stratford, P.E.I.
• Monitoring water quality and identifying ways to support aquatic life during dry months in Chilliwack, B.C.

For more details on the projects selected visit wwf.ca/gowild, and visit our blog to learn more about past Go Wild projects.

Projects will be implemented this summer and run until the fall, with the fourth round of grants opening in August, 2016. The Go Wild grants support a project's program including staff, equipment, materials, field and supplies costs, documentation and communications costs.

Quote from Sarah Winterton, director of nature-connected communities at WWF-Canada

"Too often we miss the signs that nature needs our help, and as a result we forget that solutions are within our grasp. That's why WWF-Canada is proud to support the 21 recipients of the Go Wild Community Grants for their leadership in turning ideas into meaningful action for the environment. Projects will help thousands of Canadians nurture an understanding of how our actions impact wildlife and ensure nature thrives in their own communities."

About Go Wild Community Grants presented by TELUS
In partnership with TELUS, WWF-Canada's Go Wild Community Grants support creative ideas from Canadians on how to protect, restore, monitor, educate and celebrate nature. For more information, visit wwf.ca/gowild.

About World Wildlife Fund Canada
WWF-Canada creates solutions to the environmental challenges that matter most for Canadians. We work in places that are unique and ecologically important, so that nature, wildlife and people thrive together. Because we are all wildlife. For more information, visit wwf.ca

About TELUS
TELUS (TSX: T, NYSE: TU) is Canada’s fastest-growing national telecommunications company, with $12.6 billion of annual revenue and 12.4 million subscriber connections, including 8.4 million wireless subscribers, 1.4 million residential network access lines, 1.6 million high-speed Internet subscribers and 1.0 million TELUS TV customers. TELUS provides a wide range of communications products and services, including wireless, data, Internet protocol (IP), voice, television, entertainment and video, and is Canada's largest healthcare IT provider.

In support of our philosophy to give where we live, TELUS, our team members and retirees have contributed $440 million to charitable and not-for-profit organizations and volunteered more than 6.8 million hours of service to local communities since 2000. Created in 2005 by President and CEO Darren Entwistle, TELUS’ 11 Canadian community boards and 4 International boards have led the Company’s support of grassroots charities and have contributed more than $54 million in support of over 4,900 local charitable projects, enriching the lives of more than 2 million children and youth, annually. TELUS was honoured to be named the most outstanding philanthropic corporation globally for 2010 by the Association of Fundraising Professionals, becoming the first Canadian company to receive this prestigious international recognition.

For more information about TELUS, please visit telus.com.

SOURCE WWF-Canada

Emily Vandermeer, communications specialist, WWF-Canada, 416-489-4567 ext. 7298 [email protected]