Union Gas Helps Preserve Natural Resources, Supports Program To Get Every Child Outdoors

$5,000 grant to rare Charitable Research Reserve for conservation programs

CAMBRIDGE, ON, Aug. 20, 2014 /CNW/ - Union Gas is helping a local environmental charity preserve, protect, restore and improve natural resources and the environment in the Waterloo Region, courtesy of a $5,000 grant awarded today.

The grant was presented to Gerrit Kamminga, educator at the rare Charitable Research Reserve, at the charity's administrative offices in Cambridge by Murray Costello, Union Gas district manager for Waterloo/Brantford and Pam Gent, Union Gas administrative assistant. Also on hand were children from 6 to 12 years old who are participating in the charity's summer ECO (Every Child Outdoors) Camps. At the camps, children take part in hands-on activities in nature and often receive special guests, many of them scientists doing work on the rare reserve who help campers explore different aspects of the environment.

Founded in 2001, rare Charitable Research Reserve has preserved over 900 acres of land in the Waterloo Region and stewards the property on behalf of the public, providing hiking trails, nature programs and community gardens. The charity delivers environmental education to children through its Every Child Outdoors initiative, which includes camps and programming delivered to thousands of school children throughout the year. The Union Gas grant will help rare delivering ECO programs to more youth while mirroring the work of senior scientists.

"We care about the environment. That care is reflected in our company culture, whether we are building a pipeline or a new energy-efficient office building," said Costello. "That's why we support important environmental programs in the communities we serve. This program is making difference in the Waterloo Region and we're very proud to be a supporter."

Rare's executive director Dr. Stephanie Sobek-Swant was also on hand to thank Costello. As a researcher and scientist, as well as a mom, Sobek-Swant said she was thrilled by the grant.  "The support is tremendously helpful to rare. Children need to be outside, exploring and solving problems. It's good for their health and it encourages some to consider environmental careers," said Sobek-Swant. "When corporate leaders like Union Gas endorse and support our work, its importance is recognized and we all benefit, especially today's children and future generations."

For more than 100 years, Union Gas has been privileged to work in more than 400 Ontario communities. Each year, the company supports the communities where its employees live and work through thousands of volunteer hours for local charitable and non-profit organizations, major charitable giving and sponsorships. Last year, Union Gas donated close to $3 million to community and charitable organizations in Ontario, including over $928,000 to United Way. Union Gas employees, retirees, family and friends provided over 17,000 volunteer hours to help strengthen communities. For more information visit uniongas.com/community.

About rare Charitable Research Reserve
At rare, we believe that there are many reasons to live and work in southern Ontario. We believe one of those reasons should be that, here, children are given unprecedented opportunities, including the opportunity to live a healthy lifestyle, with access to natural areas and are offered education programs that help create the next generation of environmentally-literate citizens. The vision is a natural area, protected intact and in perpetuity - the Reserve's natural landscape is a common possession set aside for its ecological value and to provide unprecedented opportunities in ecological and cultural research, education, and passive recreation.  For more information visit raresites.org.

About Union Gas 
Union Gas Limited, a Spectra Energy (NYSE: SE) company, is a major Canadian natural gas storage, transmission and distribution company based in Ontario with 100 years of experience and service to customers, assets of over $6.4 billion and approximately 2,200 employees. The distribution business serves about 1.4 million residential, commercial and industrial customers in more than 400 communities across Ontario. Union Gas is one of Canada's Top 100 Employers for 2014. For more information, visit uniongas.com or find us on Twitter: twitter.com/uniongas, Facebook: facebook.com/uniongas and YouTube: youtube.com/user/uniongas.

SOURCE: Union Gas Limited

Union Gas Limited: Andrea Stass, Manager, External Communications and Media Relations, Ph: 519 436-5490 or 1-800-571-8446 ext. 5005490, Cell: 519 365-1010, [email protected]; rare Charitable Research Reserve: Patti Leather, Director, Development and Community Relations, Ph: 519-650-9336 ext. 118, [email protected]