Scouts Canada Chinook Council receives donation from TD Friends of the Environment Foundation for new eco-friendly, experiential learning program at local youth camp

More than 3,500 Calgary-area youth will benefit from new hands-on learning eco-education program, to be developed in collaboration with Environment Canada and to meet provincial educational requirements

CALGARY, AB, July 20, 2010 – Calgary-area youth attending Scouts Canada’s Camp Gardner will benefit from new, experiential learning stations as early as this summer, thanks to a donation from TD Friends of the Environment Foundation (TD FEF).

“By using examples of local impacts and local actions, we will provide them with the tools they need to bring about their own change,” said Mike Bingley, Outdoor Program Manager with Scouts Canada Chinook Region. “Camp Gardner welcomes more than 3,500 youth from across the region each year, and thanks to TD FEF, we’ll be able to offer these kids some truly innovative -- not to mention fun -- opportunities to develop their passion for science and the environment.”

Plans include the creation of a weather station developed in conjunction with Environment Canada, as well as an alternative energy source installation that will offer participants an up-close-and-personal understanding of solar, wind and hydro-electric technologies via hands-on experiments.

“Fostering environmental stewardship in young Canadians is a priority for TD FEF, and we’re honored to support Scouts Canada’s mandate to develop some of Canada’s youngest, community-minded environmentalists,” said Andrew Gartner, TD FEF Calgary Chapter Coordinator. “We’re serious about our commitment to protecting the environment and Canadian wildlife, and have funded over 400 projects for a total of $2 million since we started back in 1990.”

In addition, a new working garden will teach youth about composting, local food sourcing, and how buying local versus imported food makes a positive environmental impact.

The program will also fulfill Alberta Education curriculum requirements, and will allow Scouts Canada to be certified by the World Organization of the Scout Movement as a SCENES Centre (Scout Centre of Excellence for Nature and Environment), a designation unique to Western Canada.

The types of projects supported by TD FEF include (but are not limited to):

• Wildlife rehabilitation
• Education programs for children
• Environmental cleanups
• Tree planting campaigns
• Conservation and recycling initiatives
• Urban renewal

TD FEF encourages non-profit organizations with a Charitable Registration Number, First Nation communities, municipalities and schools to apply for funding online at www.tdfef.com.

About TD Friends of the Environment Foundation:

Since 1990, TD FEF has provided more than $50 million in funding to over 18,400 grassroots environment and wildlife projects across Canada. In 2009, TD FEF provided more than $4 million in support of nearly 900 projects. Thousands of donors give to TD FEF on a monthly basis and TD Bank Financial Group contributes in excess of $1 million annually. TD also covers the management costs of running TD FEF, which guarantees 100 per cent of every dollar donated goes directly to funding environment and wildlife projects in the community where the donation was made. For more information on how to donate and get involved in your community, visit www.tdfef.com.

About Scouts Canada Chinook Council:

Scouts Canada – Chinook Council serves over 10,000 youth and adult members through more than 225 Scouting groups in southern Alberta and is part of the country’s leading youth organization offering exciting outdoor adventure for youth, male and female, ages 5 to 26. Scouting teaches youth about the active role they can play in helping to create a better world.

Every year, on average, 3500 youth participate in Scouts Canada camps in Chinook Council.

For more information, please contact:

Meredith Petrie
Scouts Canada Chinook Council
mpetrie@scouts.ca
403-283-4993

TD Friends of the Environment Foundation
aurora.bonin@td.com
604-649-6914