Union Gas helps restore & enhance environmentally significant areas

$2,500 grant to North Bay-Mattawa Conservation Authority

NORTH BAY, ON, Oct. 16, 2014 /CNW/ - Union Gas is supporting North Bay-Mattawa Conservation Authority (NBMCA) stewardship of La Vase Portages, as well as efforts to preserve, maintain and restore environmentally significant areas such as Chippewa Creek EcoPath, Laurentian Escarpment Conservation Areas and Eau Claire Gorge, through a $2,500 grant awarded today.

Kristel Gobby, Union Gas utility services workload planning assistant manager, presented the cheque to NBMCA Board chair Dave Mendicino, at the opening reception for the La Vase Portages Art Exhibition at NBMCA's Natural Classroom in North Bay. The La Vase Portage Art Exhibition captures the historical and natural significance of the Portage. The exhibition which features a variety of artwork by 20 local artists is intended to draw attention to the importance of preserving and protecting the La Vase Portage. The exhibition is open Oct. 16-19, 23-26 and 30-31. For more information contact NBMCA at 705-474-5420.

"Union Gas cares about the environment. Our nature is reflected in our company culture, whether we are building a pipeline or erecting an energy-efficient office building," said Gobby. "That's why we support important environmental conservation programs in the communities we serve. North Bay-Mattawa Conservation Authority stewardship efforts will make a difference, and that is important to us at Union Gas."  

"The natural, cultural and recreational values of the La Vase Portage make it a significant feature of our watershed. The support of Union Gas together with the work of community groups like Friends of La Vase and the awareness raised by the artists in the exhibition recognizes the importance of collaboration to ensure we balance our human needs with the needs of the natural environment," said Sue Buckle, NBMCA Supervisor of Communications and Outreach. 

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.  In addition, Union Gas employees, retirees, family and friends provided over 17,000 volunteer hours to help strengthen the communities where they live and work. For more information visit uniongas.com/community.

About the North Bay-Mattawa Conservation Authority
The North Bay-Mattawa Conservation Authority (NBMCA) was founded in 1972 by the Province of Ontario and the NBMCA's 10 member municipalities. A non-profit organization, the NBMCA works closely with the public to balance human needs with the environmental needs of the region's watershed. The NBMCA is one of 36 Conservation Authorities who are members of Conservation Ontario. For more information, visit www.nbmca.on.ca, or find us on Facebook: facebook.com/NBMCA and Twitter @theNBMCA.

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]; North Bay-Mattawa Conservation Authority: Sue Buckle, Supervisor, Communications and Outreach, Ph: 705 474-5420 ext. 2012, [email protected]