Eleven communities across Canada Go Wild for nature

WWF-Canada supports nature inspired projects
Through Go Wild Community Grants presented by TELUS

TORONTO, March 8, 2016 /CNW/ - WWF-Canada is pleased to announce new recipients of the Go Wild Community Grants presented by TELUS program.  From Petty Harbour, Nfld., to Lillooet, B.C., Canadians are about to go wild through 11 exciting projects that will connect communities to nature.

Go Wild projects are based on ideas that protect, restore, monitor, educate and celebrate nature. Some of this year's inspiring ideas include projects that restore habitats, protect local species, educate the public and inspire people to connect to and conserve nature in their communities.  Projects will be implemented and run until June 30.

Just some of the exciting projects chosen include: Restoring nesting habitats and installing bird and bat homes through community backyard habitat workshops in Richmond, B.C.; creating a native prairie pollinator garden for public and school nature walks in Regina, helping to restore native pollinator populations with the public planting of over two million native plants over a three year project in Toronto; and in Annapolis, N.S. there will be a hands-on education program for youth to learn how to monitor species at risk and be environmental ambassadors.

The Go Wild program awarded grants ranging from $1,000 to $10,000 to support a project's program including staff, equipment, materials, field and supplies costs, documentation and communications costs.  WWF will be accept new ideas for Go Wild in the spring application period April 5 – May 13, 2016.

Quote from David Miller, WWF-Canada president and CEO
"We received more than 275 creative proposals from across the country, which clearly shows that people are eager to bring to life our connection to nature. WWF is proud to support the 11 recipients of the Go Wild Community Grants for their leadership in turning ideas into actions. When Canadians take action for nature, their impact grows beyond a single act. Nature thrives, and so do their communities. This is at the heart of the Go Wild program."

Fall 2015 Go Wild Community Grants presented by TELUS recipients:

• Richmond, B.C., McNair Secondary — Eco-Marlins Rookery Project. The restoration of nesting habitats through community backyard habitat workshops and the installation of 150 bird and bat homes.
• Petty Harbour, Nfld. , Petty Harbour Mini Aquarium — Marine Discovery Lab & Coast to Coast Classroom Program. A coast-to-coast marine touch-tank discovery lab will connect and teach students in British Columbia and Newfoundland classrooms about marine life and sustainability solutions.
• Annapolis Royal, N.S., Clean Annapolis River Project — Youth Leading Environmental Change. Hands-on education of rural youth on how to monitor species at risk and the restoration of degraded aquatic habitats. Youth will lead the project as environmental ambassadors.
• Dartmouth, N.S., Christine Ward-Page, Maynard Lake —  Give it a chance! Painting storm drains and installing educational signs will help Maynard Lake, the dumping grounds for paint cans and garbage, to thrive. The impact will be celebrated with a nature event and supported through weekly lake monitoring.
• Capreol, Ont., Wahnapitae First Nation — Build-A-Bat-House program. With the decline in bat populations on the reserve, community awareness and action will be created for three endangered bat species through build-a-bat house day and education to help in community reporting for a longitudinal study.
• Peterborough, Ont., Kawartha Turtle Trauma Centre — Returning baby turtles to the wild program. Treating over 800 turtles each year, Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre will celebrate and educate the public while inviting everyone to join as they release the turtles at two locations.
• Toronto, Shoresh Jewish Environmental Program — Bela Farm Bee Sanctuary. Across 20 acres, this Toronto bee sanctuary will help to restore Ontario's native pollinator populations with the public planting of over two million native plants in a three year period.
• Sainte-Flavie, Que., Parc de la rivière Mitis — Awareness and nature restoration program. The project will carry out an inventory of River Mitis Park and Mitis Bay species with the help of the community.
• Ville-Marie, Que., Organisme de bassin versant du Témiscamingue — Adopt a River activity. After adopting a local river, youth will get outside and hands-on by studying the fish community. These activities will allow kids to reconnect to nature and foster even more desire to protect it.
• Regina, Sask., Wascana Centre Authority — Wascana Centre's Pollinator Paradise. Creation of native prairie pollinator garden and educational materials, welcoming public and school nature walks.

For more details on these projects visit wwf.ca/gowild

About WWF
WWF-Canada is part of WWF-International (World Wildlife Fund), one of the world's largest and most respected conservation organizations. WWF-Canada has close to 50 years of experience implementing science-based knowledge and research into on-the-ground projects. WWF is creating solutions to the most serious conservation challenges facing our planet, helping people and nature thrive. Visit wwf.ca for more information.

SOURCE WWF-Canada

Rowena Calpito, Communications Specialist, WWF-Canada, 416-489-4527, [email protected]