Ontario is calling on not-for-profit community groups, youth groups, schools, First Nations and Métis communities and other local groups to help protect and restore their part of the Great Lakes by applying for a Great Lakes Guardian Community Fund grant. The fund, now in its fourth year,supports community projects with a direct environmental benefit such as:
- planting trees
- creating rain gardens
- restoring wetland habitat
- controlling invasive species
- cleaning up a beach or shoreline
- naturalizing stream banks and shorelines.
You can get a grant of up to $25,000 for your project. Smaller projects are also encouraged. This year’s fund will award $1.5 million in total for eligible projects. Since 2012, $4.5M has been awarded to 221 community-based projects.
Projects must be completed by February 2017. Visit www.ontario.ca/greatlakesfund for the step by step instructions on “How to apply” and download the application form. Applications will be accepted until October 23, 2015
