GOVERNMENT OF CANADA INVESTS IN COMMUNITY ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECT IN COWICHAN
VALLEY, BRITISH COLUMBIA

NANAIMO, BC, Nov. 3 /CNW/ - The Honourable Jim Prentice, Canada's Environment Minister, today announced funding from the EcoAction Community Funding Program for a new environmental project in the Cowichan Valley, in British Columbia. $85,308 in federal funding will support local action to reduce pollution, improve air and water quality, and protect wildlife and natural habitat.

"This government is committed to addressing the environmental priorities of Canadians," said Minister Prentice. "We are proud to support community groups across the country willing to take concrete action through on-the-ground environmental projects that will achieve a more sustainable Canada. Your actions, large or small, will help to protect the abundance and variety of life that is part of our natural heritage."

The Friends of Cowichan Creek project will engage community members in the protection of riparian habitat. The focus of this two-year pilot project is on the ecological restoration of six urban creeks within the Cowichan Valley. Four streamkeeper courses and two riparian restoration workshops will be offered to increase the capacity and knowledge of those taking part in the project.

"The Cowichan Land Trust currently supports youth streamkeeper groups on two local streams, and this funding will enable us to continue supporting these groups and to establish new streamkeepers on several other local creeks," said John Scull, volunteer streamkeeper, Young Naturalist Club leader, and member of the Cowichan Land Trust Board. "These small streams provided important habitat for fish and other wildlife, and are important for maintaining water quality throughout the region."

The EcoAction Community Funding Program is a Government of Canada initiative that supports projects that rehabilitate, protect or enhance the natural environment, and builds the capacity of communities and individuals in support of a more sustainable Canada. The project announced today will assist locally-based, non-profit organizations in initiating actions that result in cleaner air, reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, cleaner water, and the protection of nature at the local community level.

More information about the EcoAction Community Funding Program is available on Environment Canada's website at: http://www.ec.gc.ca/ecoaction.

For more information and to view a backgrounder on this announcement, please visit the Web site of Environment Canada, at http://www.ec.gc.ca/.

(Également offert en français)

For further information:

Pascale Boulay Press Secretary Office of the Minister of the Environment 819-997-1441	Media Relations Environment Canada 819-934-8008 1-888-908-8008
Canada's Environment Minister Twitter page: http://twitter.com/jimprentice	Environment Canada's Facebook page: www.facebook.com/environmentcan