Helping Little Green Thumbs Grow

(July 6, 2009) Saskatoon, SK-There will be a growing number of little green thumbs in Saskatoon this year, and it will all be in the name of environmental stewardship that is. The Little Green Thumbs program from Agriculture in the Classroom Saskatchewan will be reaching 42 schools from rural, urban and First Nations reserves this year, thanks in part to funding from the TD Friends of the Environment Foundation (TD FEF).

“Experiential education is a great way to teach our youth about the importance of protecting and preserving the environment,” said Dwight Buchholz, Branch Manager, TD Canada Trust and local TD FEF Chapter Coordinator. “The Little Green Thumbs program aligns with our commitment to support grassroots environmental projects and help make a difference in our own backyards.”

Little Green Thumbs is a program that provides students with the opportunity to unravel the mystery of growing food, explore science and connect with nature as they work collaboratively on growing a garden in their classroom. These gardens serve as “living classrooms” that enrich learning concepts including environmental stewardship, sustainable food systems, community interdependence and nutrition fun and relevant.

“This unique indoor garden project has provided students across Saskatchewan with the amazing opportunity to grow their own food and share their successes with parents, community members and other students,” said Sara Shymko, Executive Director, Agriculture in the Classroom Saskatchewan. “With support from TD Friends of the Environment Foundation, Little Green Thumbs has helped more than 1200 students gain a deeper appreciation for healthy food, a healthy environment and healthy communities.”

TD FEF is a unique partnership that brings TD Bank Financial Group, its customers and its employees together to help protect Canada's wildlife and environment.

TD FEF supports a wide range of projects, including:

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

There are several ways to get involved with TD FEF:

• Donating to TD FEF for as little as a few dollars per month or by making a one-time donation online at www.tdfef.com or at any TD Canada Trust branch;
• Volunteering with their local TD FEF Chapter Advisory Board or by signing-up to support a TD FEF environmental project like the TD Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup (www.tdgcsc.ca);
• Visiting the TD Friends of the Environment Foundation page on Facebook.

About TD Friends of the Environment Foundation:

Since 1990, TD FEF has provided $49 million in funding to over 18,000 grassroots environment and wildlife projects across Canada. In 2008, TD FEF provided more than $3 million in support of over 800 projects. Thousands of TD customers and employees donate 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; this ensures 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.

For further information:

Ellen Dungen
Regional Manager, Manitoba and Saskatchewan
TD Friends of the Environment Foundation
TD Bank Financial Group
Phone: (403) 294-5685
E-mail: ellen.dungen@td.com