April 30, 2003

Conservation Minister Steve Ashton has announced funding of over $1.1 million in grants for over 45 projects through the Sustainable Development Innovations Fund (SDIF).

"Projects funded this year include ventures that focus on Aboriginal interests, youth programming, training initiatives and scientific analysis," said Ashton. "These diverse programs foster sustainable economic development while considering environmental concerns, which is an important priority of this government."

Peguis First Nation will receive $25,000 to recruit and train 18 participants in various areas of forest harvesting that respect the ecosystem and preserve forests for future generations. The initiative will promote environmentally responsible practices in forest management, while preparing individuals for the anticipated employment opportunities in the forest sector.

"This project will teach skills that will result in lasting environmental, social and economic benefit to the people in the region," said Ashton.

The minister encouraged organizations to apply to the fund, and indicated that the deadline for receiving applications for the first funding round this year is May 15. Funding decisions are made six to eight weeks following the submission date. The remaining intake dates for 2003-04 are July 15, Sept. 15, Nov. 15 and Jan. 15.

"The focus of this fund is on sustainability and it is encouraging to see so many worthwhile projects and so many dedicated individuals who are working toward this goal," the minister said.

Funding is provided by Manitoba Conservation through the Sustainable Development Innovations Fund (SDIF). The fund supports the development, implementation and promotion of environmental innovation and sustainable development projects. Priority areas include regional waste management, environmental technology innovation and demonstration, northern community development and environmental issues, sustainable community development, sustainable agricultural practices, ecosystem conservation, understanding the environment, eco-tourism and water.

Municipalities, local governments, First Nation communities, private and non-profit organizations, youth groups, community associations and educational institutions are all eligible for funding.

The SDIF has also established targeted program priority areas, including the Waste Reduction and Pollution Prevention (WRAPP) Fund and the Environmental Youth Corps (EYC) Program. Specific eligibility, funding limits and funding decision time lines have been established for these program areas.

Information on these programs is available upon request from Manitoba Conservation, Pollution Prevention Branch or online at:

http://www.gov.mb.ca/conservation/pollutionprevention/sdif/index.html.

The Manitoba Climate Change Action Fund (MCCAF) is also supported by the SDIF.

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PROJECT LIST.

FUNDED PROJECTS:

University of Manitoba, Natural Resources Institute - $10,000 to develop guidelines for economic development in the seven communities of the Interlake Reserves Tribal Council First Nations.

Cool Jobs Inc. - $20,000 to produce videos for use by schools, career fairs and on television showcasing Aboriginal role models working and excelling in various conservation-related jobs.

First Nations Limited Partnership - $22,000 to hold a First Nations Junior Rangers Symposium. The Junior Rangers Program provides opportunities for First Nations high school students to increase their knowledge of the land and its resources through practical outdoors work experiences and through classroom teachings.

Peguis First Nation - $25,000 to recruit and train participants in various areas of forest harvesting while respecting the ecosystem and preserving forests for future generations.

Manitoba Conservation Environmental Livestock Program - $18,000 to carry out scientific analysis of agricultural phosphorus movement to surface water bodies.

Little Saskatchewan River Conservation District - $10,000 to create headwater storage facilities within the conservation district.

Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives - $7,500 in funding for a two-day conference on food security and local organic agriculture practices.

Churchill Northern Studies Centre and Manitoba Conservation Parks and Natural Areas Branch - $25,000 to conduct a study on developing a provincial heritage park in the Churchill area, including the former Churchill Rocket Range site, present polar bear viewing operations and trails and surrounding area.

Northern Soul Wilderness Adventures - $5,310 to increase local awareness regarding the potential for eco/adventure tourism development. The project involves Bloodvein and Oxford House First Nations.

City of Winnipeg, Naturalists Services Branch - $25,000 to conduct research on dragonfly populations and their breeding habits leading to an increase in numbers helping to reduce mosquito populations.

Happy Thought School - $4,000 to continue beautifying the school grounds by purchasing and planting trees, shrubs, creating walkways, installing benches and garbage containers.

Southwood Elementary School - $5,000 to create two prairie scene murals that will demonstrate the native plants, birds and butterflies of the region and construct a series of garden plots around the school building’s exterior.

Charleswood Rotary Club - $10,000 to preserve 280 hectares of urban aspen parkland in the Assiniboine Forest, while providing year-round recreational and wildlife viewing opportunities for the public. The importance of preserving natural habitat and ideas like sustainable development will be promoted through public education.

The Green Project Committee, Flin Flon School Division - $20,000 to continue a community-based environmental enhancement project to restore and rehabilitate areas degraded by past industrial activities in and around the Flin Flon area.

Manitoba Orchid Society - $3,300 to conduct the final phase of research on the Western Prairie Fringed Orchid to ensure the survival of the population. This orchid is native to Manitoba and is found in several areas of remnant tall grass prairie, in particular, the Vita and Tolstoi areas of southeastern Manitoba.

John Howard Society of Manitoba, Inc. - $25,000 to create a new green space on the roof of the Justice Resource Centre in Winnipeg’s inner city. The green space will increase the life expectancy of the replacement roof and provide a number of environmental and social benefits.

Growing Prospects Inc. - $24,000 to pilot a computer controlled fertilization project to grow herbs in their greenhouse at The Forks. Growing Prospects uses confiscated hydroponic equipment donated by the Winnipeg Police and Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

Green Kids Inc. - $25,000 to design and develop a Straight Vegetable Oil (SVO) diesel motor bus (Bio Bus) to work as a reliable, economical model of transportation year-round in Canadian prairie conditions. Solar panels were used on the roof to generate the electrical systems from sunlight.

Keewatin Community College - $50,000 to support the continuation of the Northern Forest Diversification Centre demonstration project. The centre links the growing demand for wild, natural, organic products with the need to create sustainable economic development opportunities for local residents in remote communities.

Rural Municipality of Roblin and Village of Cartwright - $15,000 to develop a waste transfer facility at the former disposal site that will handle wastes generated by the two municipal communities.

Rural Municipality of St. Laurent - $8,500 to enhance the operations and upgrade the municipality’s waste transfer station site.

Manitoba Goat Association - $25,000 to conduct a research and demonstration project using large goat herds as an environmentally friendly method of brush removal and prairie restoration in Manitoba. The project will demonstrate that with proper management, animals can be used in place of chemicals, mechanical brush control or burning practices.

University of Manitoba, Department of Soil Sciences - $13,320 to continue a research study to determine the effects of liquid hog manure on oat residue decomposition.

Organic Alternatives Inc. - $17,000 to conduct a research and demonstration project on the effectiveness of a non-selective mechanical method, as an alternative to the use of chemical pesticides, that will remove problem insects from organic and non-organic forage crops.

Manitoba Cattle Producers Association - $50,000 to support stewardship initiatives that will assist livestock producers in adopting grazing and livestock watering practices to enhance riparian areas, surface water quality, and habitat for fish and wildlife, and increase biodiversity.

Boreal Forest Network - $18,100 to implement a six-week community-based environmental program using a new approach to science education for Aboriginal students from communities in northeastern Manitoba. The program will be delivered within the traditional territory of Hollow Water First Nation by scientists and native elders.

West Broadway Development Corporation - $25,000 to support the greening activities within the West Broadway area including maintenance of existing gardens, development of new gardens, tree banding, purchasing equipment for gardening activities and maintenance of native plantings in Spank Park.

Freshwater Fish Marketing Corporation (FFMC)- $35,000 to support a comprehensive socioeconomic survey of commercial fishers within the FFMC's jurisdiction. The survey will provide current demographic, economic, behavioral and attitudinal data on commercial fishers.

Manitoba Forestry Association, Inc. - $10,000 to support the 2003 "Agricultural Land Conservation" Envirothon Competition for Manitoba high school students, to be held in the Swan Valley area this spring.

University of Manitoba, Natural Resources Institute - $8,500 to assess ways to increase use of alternative fuels in fleet vehicles within the Red River Valley Region (both the Canadian and U.S. portions).

University of Waterloo, Department of Recreation and Leisure Studies - $12,000 to continue a four-year social scientific research study in the area of human-bear interactions in the Churchill Wildlife Management Area. The goal of the research is to assist agencies with regulations that will help to maintain quality polar bear viewing opportunities in Churchill.

Northern Lights Fish Farm - $11,385 for a two-year demonstration project using yellow perch in an aquaculture project in the Swan Valley area, providing an educational opportunity for students to learn about aquaculture from a theoretical and practical standpoint.

Manitoba Education and Youth and Science Teachers Association of Manitoba - $18,833 to conduct a pilot project to implement components of the GLOBE Program into selected Manitoba schools. The GLOBE program is a hands on international science and education program.

University of Manitoba, Natural Resources Institute - $10,970 to conduct a two-year research project into the habitat and survival of the northern prairie skink, a small cylindrical lizard, found in the mixed grass prairie of southwestern Manitoba.

University of Manitoba, Health Leisure and Human Performance Institute and Natural Resources Institute - $25,000 to continue with the development of an integrated digital database of Manitoba’s forest resources and produce an eco-site scale map of the Province of Manitoba.

Living Prairie Museum - $24,899 to create a butterfly exhibit to showcase the role of the butterfly in the health and sustainability of the Tall Grass Prairie.

University of Winnipeg, Department of Biology - $24,600 to conduct mosquito surveillance program in rural Manitoba related to West Nile virus.

Rocky Creek Fisheries Committee – $6,950 for a detailed study on fish stocks and movements in the Rocky Creek Fishway within the Reader/Root Wetland Complex to ensure the survival of fish and other wildlife.

Manitoba Conservation, Wildlife and Ecosystem Protection Branch - $1,500 to hold a workshop co-sponsored by Manitoba Conservation and the Entomological Society of Canada and Manitoba, on the Odanata (dragonflies) of Canada, to increase awareness of its biodiversity, conservation and public awareness.

Whiteshell Trappers Fur Council and Manitoba Trappers Association - $7,260 to assist with the addition of an authentic trappers cabin exhibit onto the existing trappers museum in the Alf Hole Goose Sanctuary.

Manitoba Model Forest Inc. - $25,000 to continue data gathering and develop guidelines on Manitoba’s northerly caribou populations ranging from north of the Wanipigow River, including the Atikaki/Berens range. Woodland Caribou are a "threatened species", and are highly susceptible to human caused disturbance.

University of Manitoba, Botany Department - $11,000 to conduct Phase II of a two-year project to document and expand on the knowledge base surrounding urban river bottom or riparian forests in and around the City of Winnipeg.

Town of Killarney and Killarney Lake Water Quality Committee - $25,000 to assist with methods to reduce or eliminate the use of copper sulphate to control algae blooms in the swimming area. The water quality of the lake is poor and algae blooms are a regular occurrence.

Assiniboine Community College, Rural Development Institute and Rural Municipality of Woodlands - $18,500 to facilitate a community based information-sharing and gathering process to develop water retention strategies and solutions on a watershed basis that are environmentally and economically viable for the municipality and landowners.

University of Manitoba, Delta Marsh Field Station - $31,600 to conduct the second year of a research project to determine how the coarse "blue-black algae" found in Betula and White lakes in Whiteshell Provincial Park might be brought under control.

Rural Municipality of St. Andrews - $52,600 to conduct a research, monitoring and demonstration project regarding water usage in up to forty homes within the municipality. Goals include increasing water efficiency and extending the life of septic fields through appropriate use of water in the home.