Union Gas helps protect an environmentally significant area in London

$2,000 grant to Friends of the Coves for conservation programs

LONDON, ON, Oct. 3, 2013 /CNW/ - Union Gas is helping Friends of the Coves with the protection, conservation and stewardship of the Coves subwatershed through a $2,000 grant awarded today.  The funds will help provide outdoor education programs as well as water monitoring and naturalizations projects.

Barry Spruyt, Union Gas drafter estimator and member of the Union Gas London green team, presented the cheque to Thom McClenaghan, president of Friends of the Coves, at the organization's office in London.

"At Union Gas, we believe in investing to safeguard the environment so we can all share in its many benefits," said Spruyt.  "That's why we support important environmental programs in the communities we serve, like this one."

The Friends of the Coves Subwatershed has been working for a number of years on the aquatic and terrestrial restoration of the Coves Environmentally Significant Area located in an old meander of the Thames River in the City of London.  The work includes the replanting of native species of shrubs and trees and the engagement of students in a variety of stewardship activities such as planting native species on school campuses and the germinating of trees from seed for planting in the spring.

Part two of the Conservation Master Plan is to be completed this winter and will focus on the preferred location for access trails and various structures to complement these trails.  A Significant Gateway to the Coves ESA has also been designed and work will begin on this project the fall.  Included will be information of the Cultural Heritage of the Coves as well as the various aspects of its terrestrial and aquatic heritage.

"Friends of the Coves is indeed grateful for the ongoing support of Union Gas for these various projects and their recognition and understanding of the place that it has in improving the quality of life within this part of the city, with a population of 11,000," said McClenaghan.

In addition to natural gas delivery services for homes and businesses and contributing to the province's economy through investment, job creation, municipal taxes and energy efficiency programs, Union Gas has a clear set of best practices regarding the environment and actively encourages and promotes those practices via community groups throughout its distribution area. This value is reflected each year, as the company supports communities across Ontario through thousands of volunteer hours for local charitable and non-profit organizations, major charitable giving and sponsorships. Last year alone, Union Gas contributed about $3 million to charitable organizations across the province, including environmental programs and projects. For more information visit uniongas.com/community.

About Friends of the Coves Subwatershed Inc.
Friends of the Coves Subwatershed Inc. is a non-profit, environmental organization whose goals and objectives aim to engage residents, businesses, community organizations, agencies and all levels of government, in the protection, rehabilitation, and stewardship of the Coves Subwatershed. Our mission statement is: The quality of life in our community is enhanced through the protection, rehabilitation and wise stewardship of the Coves Subwatershed. For more information, visit thecoves.ca or on facebook at friendsofthecoves.

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 over 100 years of experience and service to customers, assets of over $5.8 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 2013. For more information, visit uniongas.com.

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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]

Friends of the Coves Subwatershed Inc.
Thom McClenaghan
President
Ph:  519-640-5397
[email protected]