Local Youth Ecology Club first organization in Northwest Territories to receive funding from TD Friends of the Environment Foundation
Yellowknife's Dene First Nations Elders lead local youth in traditional under-ice fish netting workshop, teaching students about sustainable fishing practices and northern fish ecology.
(March 9, 2009) YELLOWKNIFE, NT - Local students from Ecology North's Youth Ecology Club (YEC) are exploring the great outdoors, and learning more about traditional, sustainable First Nations fishing practices thanks in part to funding from their local TD Friends of the Environment Foundation (TD FEF) Chapter.
"Supporting Ecology North's efforts to enhance intercultural and intergenerational learning and understanding about the natural world is a natural fit for TD FEF, as we're committed to encouraging youth to learn more about how they can preserve and protect the environment and wildlife in their own backyard." said Mike Adamchick, Branch Manager, TD Canada Trust and local TD FEF Chapter Coordinator.
This weekend's traditional fishing workshop is part of a series of monthly outdoor activities led by the YEC and offered free-of-charge to youth in Yellowknife, Dettah and N'dilo.
Activities are led by Elders, scientists and community member volunteers. Through their involvement, youth serve Elders and other community groups such as the Food Bank, seniors, and other charitable organizations, in ways that promote understanding of and respect for the land.
"Our objective is to create opportunities for youth to participate in extracurricular, hands-on activities that encourage learning about the land, local ecology, and ways we can all live more lightly on the land," said Shannon Ripley, Program Coordinator for Ecology North. "Thanks to support from our local TD Friends of the Environment Foundation Chapter, we're able to offer the program to youth from communities such as N'dilo, Dettah and Yellowknife."
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:
- Donate to TD FEF for as little as a few dollars per month or by making a one-time donation;
- Sign-up to support a TD FEF project like the TD Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup (www.vanaqua.org/cleanup) or volunteer with your local TD FEF Chapter Advisory Board;
- Non-profit organizations with a charitable registration number and schools can apply for funding for environment and wildlife projects at www.fef.ca;
- Become a fan of TD Friends of the Environment Foundation on Facebook.
About TD Friends of the Environment Foundation:
Since 1990, TD FEF has provided $47 million in funding to over 17,500 grassroots environment and wildlife projects across Canada. In 2008, 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 percent 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.fef.ca.
About Ecology North
Ecology North maintains collaborative partnerships with a number of other local community and educational organizations to promote public education, sustainable living and climate change, including:
- The Centre for Northern Families
- Native Women's Association
- Yellowknife Community Garden Collective
- Northwest Territories Recreation and Parks Association
- and local schools
The organization is managed by a volunteer Board of Directors, day to day operations are carried out by a staff of 3, and volunteers are active in a variety of public education events and projects.
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For further information:
Aurora Bonin
Regional Manager, Western Canada
TD Friends of the Environment Foundation
TD Bank Financial Group
Phone: 604-654-8832
Email: aurora.bonin@td.com
Shannon Ripley
Program Coordinator
Ecology North
Phone: (867) 873-6019
E-mail: shannon@ecologynorth.ca
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