The province will provide more than $180,000 to help combat Dutch Elm disease through the Sustainable Development Innovations Fund (SDIF), Conservation Minister Stan Struthers announced today.

 

The Coalition to Save the Elms will receive provincial funding of $160,000 to support its five-year Adopt-A-Tree project, which helps improve the quality of the American elm and other shade trees along Broadway. The grant is one of 29 totalling $713,706.

 

“The trees will be monitored for signs of Dutch elm and other diseases and will be nurtured to promote their health,” said Struthers.  “Without care and maintenance, these trees may disappear forever, taking with them the unique character of Broadway and part of the city of Winnipeg’s heritage.”

 

The project contains an information awareness component to educate the public on maintaining healthy trees in an urban environment.

 

The province also awarded $23,266 to the University of Manitoba’s entomology department for research to improve the method of control of Dutch elm disease in Manitoba communities.  Research will respond to known information gaps regarding the spread of disease.

 

The SDIF supports a diverse range of projects, from research studies and demonstrations of new technology to community enhancement and environmental awareness.  Other targeted funding programs under the SDIF are:

·         the Waste Reduction and Pollution Prevention Fund,

·         the Environmental Youth Corps,

·         the Manitoba Climate Change Action Fund, and

·         the Water Stewardship Fund.

 

More information on these programs and a list of grant recipients is available at:

http://www.susdev.mb.ca.