Feds invest $4M to support environmental groups through EcoAction

Government of Canada invests in community-led projects to improve fresh water. (CNW Group/Environment and Climate Change Canada)

WEST VANCOUVER, BC — The Government of Canada announced approximately $4 million to support 53 new projects under the EcoAction Community Funding Program.

“Our government is pleased to invest in these community-driven projects aimed at protecting water, creating habitat for wildlife, and supporting good local jobs,” said Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, in a prepared statement. “Just like we did during this pandemic, Canadians are coming together through EcoAction to safeguard the health of our ecosystems, now and for future generations.”

All 53 projects focus on protecting the health and quality of water. Some projects tackle chemicals in the water; others restore damaged wetlands; the remainder boost our ecosystems so that they have additional capacity to handle floods that are more frequently occurring due to the impacts of climate change. The funds will also support various communications and public-engagement initiatives aimed at ensuring that local communities have the tools they need to protect their water and related ecosystems.

For example, through EcoAction, the British Columbia Conservation Foundation will receive $85,000 to work with Indigenous communities to restore wetlands in West Sechelt, that were damaged by forest fires and logging activities. Project leader Dr. Michelle Evelyn joined the virtual event to highlight how this investment will be used to protect fresh water for British Columbians. With these funds, including additional matched contributions, the organization will be able to hire a field team including a biologist and an excavator to dig the new wetlands and plant native vegetation like reeds, rushes, willows, and shrubs. This project will have the added benefit of creating new habitat for wildlife.