Tree Planting Program in Centennial Park

Centennial Park is a focal point for recreational activities in Red Lake but it was lacking trees to provide shade and to positively impact the environment. Centennial Park is a great example of how a park can be rehabilitated. Through the planting of trees the park had the opportunity to make a statement of environmental stewardship by helping to offset carbon dioxide emissions related to tree removal in the area.

To keep the public informed and to educate them, they would also put up plaques detailing the particular species of tree and indicating how that particular species positively offsets greenhouse gas emissions.

TD FEF funding was used to purchase 20 trees and plaques for them.

Ecole Publique Le Coeur du Nord: GPS and Environmental Education.

Through this amazing program, students at Ecole Publique Le Coeur du Nord go to various sites in and around the community and leave a cache (a hidden "treasure") for others to find and at the same time they take time to clean debris and garbage in the location they select. The caches the students leave include a 35mm film canister with a bio-degradable garbage bag inside.

GPS units are required to allow the students to help out by keeping the area cleaner and be used as a teaching tool by the school teachers. Using the GPS can teach geometry, navigation and teamwork. It will allow the students to enjoy new technology and learn without knowing they are learning.

TD FEF funding was used to purchase six Garmin GPS and eco-degradable bags.

NEW – St Lawrence River Institute: Eco-Friends Summer Camp and Jr. Scientist Camp

The Eco-Friends Summer Day Camp presented environmental science topics in fun and interactive settings. It gave children the opportunity to explore and appreciate nature through activities such as hiking, frog and invertebrate catching, bird watching, arts and crafts and science experiments. The Jr. Scientist Camp gave young people the opportunity to go deeper into science investigation techniques and methods such as species identification, dissection, DNA fingerprinting and detailed lab analyses. Participants were involved in on-going research projects giving participants a taste of real science by allowing them to do a hands-on, minds-on investigation. This also promoted environmental responsibility and created a greater awareness of environmental issues (such as exotic species, climate change and pollution).

TD FEF funding was used to purchase materials required for the camps.

Literacy and the Environment at Princess Elizabeth Public School

With funding support from TD Friends of the Environment Foundation, Princess Elizabeth Public School will acquire new environmental books to help create an environmental learning centre and enhance education understanding.

This project will enhance environmental education of plant and wildlife species for students in kindergarten to grade 8 during school hours. Students will also be encouraged to share this information with parents and siblings outside of school hours to create a positive environmental impact in their communities.

Upper Thames River Conservation Authority: Hall's Creek/ Cedar Creek Subwatersheds Report Card Education Program

TD Friends of the Environment Foundation funding supports the delivery of the Subwatershed Report Card Education Program to students in Woodstock and Ingersoll. This unique field-based opportunity enables senior secondary students to explore how environmental health is determined through hands-on experience in a variety of environmental monitoring and assessment techniques. Learnings are then documented in a Subwatershed Report Card by participants.

NEW – Pelee Island Bird Oberservatory (PIBO): Connecting Researchers in the Field with Students in the Classroom

With funding support from TD Friends of the Environment Foundation Pelee Island Bird Oberservatory (PIBO) will introduce Ontario students and the public to the richly varied range of birds that pass through Southwestern Ontario during their seasonal migration, and inform them of the threats confronting these birds. Because the birds and the weather can't be relied upon every day PIBO will share information through an innovative video-conferencing project that will allow researchers to connect with students in their own classrooms around the province in cost-effective way. Through accessible education programs like this PIBO hopes to create a future generation of environmental stewards.

Grow to Learn Urban Food Initiative

The PACT Urban Peace Program is an award-winning organization that empowers, supports and encourages at-risk youth to reach their full potential. The PACT Grow to Learn Urban Food Initiative helps more than one thousand youth each year in partnership with TDSB schools where they provide environmental skill programs for at-risk youth with a community or school garden that addresses the environment, hunger and nutrition. TD FEF funding helps to support the urban food initiative at 11 schools across Toronto, helping youth with hands-on learning opportunities, develop leadership skills, and be an active member of the surrounding community.

Riverside Public School Vegetable Learning Garden

Riverside Public School has used TD FEF funding to create a vegetable learning garden so that students can learn about food, how it grows, where it comes from, and how it gets modified in packaged food. Through planting and tending the garden, students will learn about local food, environmental stewardship and the importance of preservation.

Junior Conservationists: Hamilton Region Conservation Authority

The Junior Conservationists program at the Hamilton Region Conservation Authority works with youth aged 10-12 to help them gain a better understanding and appreciation for nature and how they can have a positive influence on their local environment. Through the program, local youth develop skills such as building nest boxes, creating habitat structures for wild turkeys, restoring nesting habitat for snapping turtles, and other environmental activities related to conservation and stewardship. Understanding their impact and role in our natural environment is an essential part of this program.

NEW - Mouvement écologique du Haut-Richelieu Présentation d'une politique de l'arbre pour les municipalités du Haut-Richelieu

Le mouvement écologique du Haut-Richelieu croit à l'importance des arbres en milieu urbain. Afin de sensibiliser les citoyens aux bonne pratiques de plantation et d'entretien et pour mettre un terme aux coupes abusives des arbres du secteur, le développement d'une politique de l'arbre était nécessaire. Pour garantir la sauvegarde du patrimoine arboricole dans les municipalités du territoire, une des recommandations de la politique consiste à encourager la plantation d'espèces indigènes, mieux adaptées à notre climat et nos écosystèmes. Le document sera déposé au conseil municipal en vue d'officialiser son adoption.

Une fête de quartier fût organisée pour faire connaitre la politique de l'arbre aux membres de la collectivité et obtenir leur appui. La financement de la FAE TD a permis de distribuer des arbres et des renseignements sur la saine gestion de ces arbres (plantation et entretien) lors de cet événement de sensibilisation.

Fondation Écologique du Grand Montréal

Le projet d'amélioration écologique des milieux humides du boisé du Parc Marcel-Laurin contribuera à la préservation de ces milieux de plus en plus rares à Montréal. Ceux-ci présentent malheureusement une diversité écologique réduite et des réseaux trophiques amoindris en raison de l'envahissement par des espèces non indigènes et de l'absence de la faune associée a ces milieux. Grâce à la plantation de végétaux indigènes, la diversité végétale sera rétablie et la gestion de l'eau en sera ainsi améliorée. Une attention particulière sera également portée à l'amélioration de l'habitat du colibri à gorge rubis par la plantation d'herbacées indigènes dédiées à son alimentation

La Fondation TD des amis de l'environnement fournira son soutien à la Fondation Écologique du Grand Montréal responsable de ce projet en finançant l'achat des végétaux.

École du Grand-Fleuve, St-Romuald - Nos amis, les arbres

École du Grand-Fleuve is committed to educating its students about developing a healthy and sustainable lifestyle in a dynamic environment.

Among its many environmental goals, the school has launched "Nos amis, les arbres" – a project that will see the construction of an in-class herbarium that will house ten different species of trees and plant white spruce and red oak acorns seeds. Through the program, students will participate in a series of in-class activities to increase their knowledge of trees and their ecological importance.

TD FEF funding will help with the purchase of the trees for the herbarium.

"Stream of Dreams" Society provides instruction on watershed conservation and oversees the creation of a "Dreamfish" mural

Neilson Grove Elementary School opened in October, 2000 and currently has approximately 185 students enrolled. Neilson Grove's mission is to be A Community of Learners - Preparing Responsible Citizens for the Future. TD Friends of the Environment Foundation is pleased to support the partnership between Neilson Grove Elementary and Stream of Dreams Society as they provide education on watershed conservation through workshops and hands on activities. The Society will provide education to each classroom and each student will paint a "dream" fish which will be included on a mural on a fence. The school is situated half a mile from the Fraser River and is adjacent to the "Green Slough", an important "nursery" for many young fish and an important waterway that connects with the Lower Mainland. The location of the mural is significant and will make a unique connection between the community and the school and directly connect with positive community action around watershed conservation.

Evergreen Foundation bio-DIVERSE-city project

Evergreen's bio-DIVERSE-city project is a community engagement, experiential education and habitat restoration project that connects neighbours; engages them in their local green space; celebrates community and natural diversity; and, makes a concrete difference in the health of urban ecosystems.

Targeting three sites in New Westminster and Burnaby, Evergreen will conduct planting, stewardship and celebration events that meaningfully engage residents in their local green space.

Key to the initiative is the involvement of volunteers and partners from both New Westminster and Burnaby, of which the multicultural community forms a large portion of the demographic. Using engagement strategies that target multicultural organizations, youth groups and families with children, Evergreen will focus on involving a diversity of people on the project sites. The goal will be to connect groups and celebrate community diversity while taking concrete, positive actions to restore biological diversity.

School District 36 (Surrey) Food Warriors

The Surrey School District is the largest district in B.C. and one of few growing districts in the province. The district seeks to engage their students in their growth as individuals and in their development of the knowledge, skills and attributes necessary to contribute to a healthy, democratic and diverse society. TD FEF is pleased to support the District's Food Warriors after-school program, which is aimed at educating families about the environmental, economic and health benefits of buying and eating local fresh food. The program will pilot in two inner-city elementary schools and engage 30 families in a series of fun and interactive games and hands on education activities. Families will also have the opportunity to regularly visit a community garden with a gardener where they will be given a plot to experience the full process of planting, growing, harvesting and eating crops from their very own garden. Ultimately, the families will feel empowered to make better lifestyle choices for a healthier, more vibrant and sustainable community.

TD's Wild Tender, Lovin', Care Program

The Wildlife Rehabilitation Society of Edmonton (WRSE) is a charitable organization that aims to provide compassionate care for injured and orphaned wildlife and promotes understanding and respect for wildlife through education. TD Friends of the Environment Foundation is proud to support TD's Wild Tender, Lovin' Care Program as it ensure all patients at WRSE continue to receive proper care, medical treatment and a high nutrient, well balanced diet. WRSE cares for more than 1,000 patients each year and over 120 different species of wildlife. In addition, the WRSE impacts over 5,000 people through educational presentations. Wildlife presence in urban environments allows opportunities for citizens to interact with wildlife and increase their knowledge and awareness of environmental issues. As the lone shelter for a vast area of wildlife the project is vital to Alberta's wildlife diversity.

Ecology North: Youth Ecology Program

Ecology North is a non-profit organization formed to support sound environmental decision-making on an individual, community and regional level. Programs focus on three priorities: public education and awareness, climate change, and sustainable living. TD Friends of the Environment Foundation is pleased to support the youth ecology program as it builds environmental stewardship among youth. Youth Ecology initiatives will include activities ranging from workshops such as composting and gardening to projects where youth lead, design and implement a project in their school or community. Using hands-on tasks, outdoor activities and discrete, tangible projects, the Youth Ecology program creates forums for reflection and active engagement through which youth focus on leadership in the environment.

NEW – Federation of Alberta Naturalists: Young Naturalist Club

The Young Naturalists Club (YNC) is a provincial project whose objective is to develop a younger generation of naturalists who are both knowledgeable in natural history and ecology and prepared to take action on behalf of the environment. Through hands on activities club members are able to learn about plants, birds, bugs, fish and mammals, and the living systems that surround them. TD Friends of the Environment Foundation is pleased to be able to help provide fun nature activities that are convenient, affordable and accessible through this home based program. YNC is unique from other youth groups as it encourages: multigenerational learning experiences through interaction with the natural world, leadership and sharing of knowledge with others, environmental action and hands on naturalist activities.

Environmental Revitalization at St. Catherine Community School

St. Catherine Community School is revitalizing their outdoor space to foster lifelong appreciation for the environment and outdoors in their students. They are busy removing weeds, planting trees, while conserving nature as they endeavour to develop a new identity for their school and the neighbourhood. With a little help from the Regina Chapter of TD Friends of the Environment Foundation not only will the space be revitalized through naturalization, they will also have better opportunities for recycling and better onsite waste management. It is "all hands on deck" as students and their families contribute to the development of the outdoor space, plant trees, remove weeds, and beautify the land to it's original state.

Providence Place Healing Garden and Park Development

Providence Place is building a healing garden which will be used and enjoyed by residents, family, staff and the local community. The concept of the healing garden is to allow residents of Providence Place along with the community to freely interact with nature and its healing tendencies. The beginning stages of the healing garden have widely used the educational resources in Moose Jaw.

Local students have done the majority of the initial work in planning the healing garden including land surveying as well as the landscape architecture. Once the garden is completed it will provide residents the opportunity to be outdoors, sit by the water, observe flowers and local plant species, and even plant their own garden. TD Friends of the Environment Foundation is pleased to be able to contribute to this project which fosters holistic healing and recovery for residents by allowing them to enjoy nature and interact with the local community outdoors. The garden also provides more green space in the downtown community, while growing native plants and helping educate those who visit the garden and helping the local community become more environmentally aware.

NEW - Town of Gravelbourg: Rain Tank Water Collection Program

Gravelbourg, SK is situated in a semi-arid eco region but with a little help from the TD Friends of the Environment Foundation they are providing residents with creative ways to "green their town". They are promoting the use for large rain tanks that can be used to collect rain for future use during dry spells and helping to subsidize the cost to make it easier for residents to adopt this practice. Composting, low flush toilets inserts, low flow shower heads, storm water re-use for irrigation and the encouragement of xeriscaping with native plants are other ways they are making their town environmentally responsible.

Together We Will Grow – Light Garden Initiative

The TD Friends of the Environment Foundation is supporting the Centre Consolidated School with the purchase of three light gardens to be shared between 13 elementary school classes. The light gardens will be used to enhance the elementary science curriculum. One of the science units taught yearly in each grade level is plants and soil. The students would be able to plant a variety of seeds, watch them grow, predict, estimate, measure as they grow, observe the life cycle, and eventually transplant the plants at home or plant outside on school property. This project will encourage interaction with junior high classes as well as community members who are active in gardening and the environment.

YWCA Moncton: Roots to Shoots – Empowering Youth at Risk through the Environment

The Roots to Shoots program is targeted to at-risk youth in the Moncton area. Through hands-on environmental and nature activities, youth take part in environmental learning as well as developing essential skills in teamwork, self-esteem, confidence, and leadership. The TD Friends of the Environment Foundation supported the program with materials.

NEW – USM Garden Project: Burin Peninsula Health Care Foundation

The Burin Peninsula Health Care Foundation serves the rural region's residential and commercial sectors through the Burin Peninsula's health care facilities. The TD Friends of the Environment Foundation is proud to support the Garden Project at the USM Long Term Care Facility where sustainable gardens will be created with native plants, shrubs and perennials. These gardens will also serve as therapeutic gardens for recovering patients. The gardens will work to naturalize the hospice grounds and connect the senior population with the greater community.