WWF-Canada and Loblaw launch granting program to help schools activate green initiatives
“Today’s youth are tomorrow’s leaders,” says Gerald Butts, President and CEO, WWF-Canada. “This generation of students is more environmentally savvy than any other in history. We hope the Green CommUnity Granting Program will help students turn their environmental beliefs into action in their communities and throughout their life.”
The grants, made possible through a corporate donation and partial proceeds from Loblaw’s plastic shopping bag reduction program, will be awarded to schools working on environmental projects that help reduce their community’s impact on the environment, increase understanding of environmental issues and solutions, stimulate environmental leadership, and inspire students and their communities to take action.
Grants of up to $5,000 will be made available to schools across Canada. Any private, public, or independent Canadian elementary or secondary school that is working on a green initiative is eligible to apply. The application deadline for this year is May 3, 2010. Winners will be announced in June. Find out more at www.wwf.ca/greencommunitygrants.
“We are happy that through our plastic shopping bag reduction program, we are able to encourage support for green initiatives through programs such as the Green CommUnity School Grants Program,” said Bob Chant, vice president, corporate affairs, Loblaw Companies Limited. “Students are eager to promote change and together, through the CommUnity School Grants Program we can help take on the challenges facing our environment.”
In addition to working with students and schools, WWF-Canada works with Canadians online, offline, in urban and rural communities to help reduce their footprint by making smart environmental choices, recognizing those individuals who are leading by example and celebrating collective action to motivate others. The next public campaign is launching on May 30 and will encourage Canadians to lighten their footprint by leaving the car at home. Learn more at www.wwf.ca or www.facebook.com/wwfcanada.