MORE THAN 4,000 YOUTH HELP IMPROVE THE ENVIRONMENT THROUGH ENVIRONMENTAL YOUTH CORPS PROGRAM: MINISTER

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Support for Over 45 Projects Across the Province

Environmental Youth Corps (EYC) grants have been awarded to support over 4,000 young people throughout the province to help green the province including 60 students of Prince Edward School in Winnipeg who will create a sustainable, natural habitat for monarch and painted lady butterflies, Conservation Minister Stan Struthers said today.

 

“This project is just one example of the many different projects involving young Manitobans in protecting and preserving the environment,” said Struthers.  “The more young people we can get involved and thinking about preserving the environment the better.”

 

The Prince Edward students involved in the project will participate in gardening activities and connect with pen pals from the state of New Jersey to exchange and expand their knowledge on butterflies and native prairie plants.

 

During the last three rounds of approved projects, $101,400 was made available to support 48 projects.  The EYC program will provide up to $5,000 per project for materials and supplies, equipment rental and transportation covering topics such as environmental protection, enhancement, rehabilitation, conservation and resource management.

 

Grants are available to Aboriginal organizations, band councils, charitable groups, environmental organizations, and local government organizations including municipalities, schools and voluntary organizations and service clubs.

 

The Sustainable Development Innovation Fund provides funding to the EYC, the Waste Reduction and Pollution Prevention Fund, the Manitoba Climate Change Action Fund and the Water Stewardship Fund.

 

Information on the EYC is available on request from the Manitoba Conservation Pollution Prevention Branch or online at http://www.susdev.mb.ca. A list of grant recipients can be found at http://www.gov.mb.ca/conservation/pollutionprevention.