Shell celebrates 20 years and $15 million of funding the environment

CALGARY, March 22 /CNW/ - Shell Canada is celebrating 20 years of environmental investment by awarding one-time major grants from the Shell Environmental Fund to four Canadian organizations.

"Since 1990, Shell has invested more than $15 million in 4,600 environmental projects across Canada through the Shell Environmental Fund," said Lorraine Mitchelmore, President and Canada Country Chair, Shell Canada Limited. "We are proud to continue this 20-year tradition with this year's recipients who are working with Shell to find innovative ways to better our environment."

The Shell Environmental Fund (SEF) provides financial support for grass roots, action-oriented projects that improve and protect the Canadian environment. Funding support can be requested for projects that yield a direct, positive environmental benefit and engage the local community through hands-on involvement. In 2009, Shell launched the SEF major grants program. Through this program, organizations are eligible to receive up to $100,000. Shell Canada works with local communities and environmental stakeholders to identify projects that meet Shell's funding guidelines.

Recipients of this year's Shell Environmental Fund major grants are Trout Unlimited, Ducks Unlimited, Yellowstone to Yukon and Building Environmental Aboriginal Human Resources (BEAHR). Each will receive $100,000 for their projects.

"At Shell, we know that finding solutions to today's environmental challenges will require the commitment of all Canadians," said Mitchelmore. "Through the SEF's major grants initiative we proactively sought organizations whose projects would help improve and protect the environment. Each of these organizations fulfilled that requirement."

Shell Canada, operating in Canada since 1911, is one of the largest integrated petroleum companies in the country. A leading manufacturer, distributor and marketer of refined petroleum products, Shell Canada produces natural gas, natural gas liquids and bitumen and is Canada's largest producer of sulphur.

For more information on the Shell Environmental Fund, visit www.shell.ca/sef

BACKGROUNDER ATTACHED

Backgrounder

Shell Canada Environmental Fund

At Shell Canada, we believe that finding solutions for today's environmental problems will take the commitment and ideas of all Canadians. That means having the financial resources to turn ideas into action.

We created the Shell Environmental Fund (SEF) to help groups make a positive contribution to our environment. The Shell Environmental Fund provides financial support for grass roots, action-oriented projects that improve and protect the Canadian environment.

Shell Environmental Fund (SEF) Major Grants Program

In 2009, Shell Canada launched the SEF major grants program. Shell awarded four $100,000 grants to initiatives that repair, enhance and/or protect the environment.

Recipients of major grants must be located in areas adjacent to Shell Canada's operations/projects, and/or:

    
    -   Have a national focus
    -   Direct environmental benefit
    -   Be replicable
    -   Have a large volunteer component
    -   Capitalize on strengths of partnerships with other organizations
    

For more information on the Shell Environmental Fund, visit www.shell.ca/sef

Recipient Organizations

Program Information:

Trout Unlimited - Yellowfish Road Program

Representing Trout Unlimited is Jeff Surtees, CEO, Trout Unlimited

Trout Unlimited Canada's Yellow Fish Road(TM) program reminds more than 40,000 households across Canada each year that they are responsible for reducing urban storm water pollution, one of the largest sources of freshwater pollution in North America. Volunteers stencil the familiar Yellow Fish symbol next to storm drains to help create an awareness that storm drains are the doorways to Canada's most precious resource, clean, abundant freshwater. Yellow Fish Road(TM) volunteers helps each of us understand that that the protection of our rivers, lakes and streams begins with simple actions taken in homes in every community across Canada.

Ducks Unlimited - John E. Poole Wetland Interpretive Site

Representing Ducks Unlimited is Bill Turnbull, Ducks Unlimited Senior Alberta Director

Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) is a private, non-profit, charitable organization that conserves, restores and manages wetland and associated habitats for North America's waterfowl, other wildlife and people.

The John E. Poole Conservation Fund is a legacy fund established by DUC as a tribute to John Poole following his death in 2007. PCL Constructors, in conjunction with the Poole family, put a call out to the community looking for ways to recognize John's lifetime of community spirit and conservation ethic.

The John E. Poole Conservation Fund has a target of $5 million which will be used for wetland conservation and education in Alberta. A portion of the fund will be used to establish the John E. Poole Wetland Interpretive site at Big Lake, adjacent to the Lois Hole Centennial Provincial Park near St. Albert. The wetland site be enhanced for the public with a boardwalk, viewing points, trails and interpretive signage providing a much-needed wetland education destination in the capital region of Alberta. A dedication area will also be established to recognize supporters and donors to the fund.

For more information visit ducks.ca.

Yellowstone to Yukon (Y2Y) - Wildlife Movement Corridors Project

Representing Yellowstone to Yukon is Rob Buffler, Executive Director, Y2Y

Transportation corridors are a significant cause of wildlife habitat fragmentation in the Yellowstone to Yukon (Y2Y) region. Fragmentation leads to wildlife population declines and possible extirpation. Successful techniques and technologies have recently been demonstrated to facilitate safe passage for wildlife over roads, reducing habitat fragmentation. As the most significant wildlife fracture zone in the 3,500-kilometer long Y2Y region, restoring wildlife movement across Highway 3 in Southwest Alberta is critical to the long-term ecological viability of the entire Y2Y landscape. This project will identify key wildlife movement zones along Highway 3, rank these zones based on conservation importance, develop mitigation strategies, and work with conservation organizations, local communities, transportation agencies, and citizen volunteers to implement solutions.

Building Environmental Aboriginal Human Resources (BEAHR)

Environmental Careers Organization (ECO) Canada

Representing BEAHR/ECO is Grant S. Trump, President & CEO of ECO Canada

ECO Canada is committed to increasing Aboriginal employment in the environment sector, and through its BEAHR program, has created products and services to engage, train and employ environmental professionals. ECO Canada's national Aboriginal career development program, through the Shell Environment Fund Major Grant, will enhance environmental protection, conservation and management careers for Aboriginal environmental professionals. In partnership with Aboriginal communities, Aboriginal organizations, industry, and government, ECO will create awareness of environmental careers among Aboriginal youth, enhance its Aboriginal environmental training programs for entry into environmental careers, and establish national and international networks of environmental professionals to foster career growth and development.

For further information: Media Contacts: Ed Greenberg, Shell Canada Limited, Phone: [phone], Mobile: [phone], E-mail: [email protected]; Roger Kelley, Director, Conservation Outreach, Trout Unlimited Canada, Phone: [phone], E-mail: [email protected]; Rick Shewchuk, Development Manager, Ducks Unlimited Canada, Phone: [phone], Mobile: [phone], E-mail: [email protected]; Rob Buffler, Executive Director, Yellowstone to Yukon, Phone: [phone], Mobile: [phone], E-mail: [email protected]; Chris Stewart - Building Environmental Aboriginal Human Resources (BEAHR), Director of Marketing and Communications, ECO Canada, Phone: [phone], E-mail: [email protected]