TORONTO, ONTARIO -- (Marketwire) -- 12/13/11 -- WWF and Loblaw Companies Limited (Loblaw) are proud to announce 53 new recipients of WWF's Green CommUnity School Grants Program. This round of funding awards $100,000 in grants to elementary and secondary schools across Canada, supporting student engagement in green initiatives.
The grants, made possible through a corporate donation and partial proceeds from Loblaw's national pay-for-plastic shopping bag program, are designed to help foster a sense of environmental stewardship in young students as well as to provide a hands-on learning experience in sustainability and greening one's community.
This round of grants will provide funding for initiatives such as:
-- A sustainable building competition at Sussex Regional High school in
Sussex, NB
-- The Mackenzie Delta youth ecological awareness project at Chief Julius
School in Ft. McPherson, NWT
-- An environmental awareness and outdoor life skills project at Maniwaki
Woodland in Maniwaki, QC
-- A butterfly and hummingbird habitat restoration initiative at Forest
Glen Public School in Mississauga, ON
FACTS
-- This is the fourth round of funding, awarding $100,000 to elementary and
secondary schools since February 2010
-- Any private, public, or independent Canadian elementary or secondary
school that is working on a green initiative is eligible to apply for
grants up to $5,000
-- Find out more at www.wwf.ca/greencommunitygrants
QUOTES
"Our children's future is closely tied to our planet's future, which is why helping the next generation become environmental leaders is so important," says Gerald Butts, President and CEO, WWF. "We're proud to support these green programs in so many schools, where a real difference can be made."
"Loblaw is proud to help engage the next generation of environmental leaders with support from our national pay-for-plastic shopping bag program" said Bob Chant, Vice President, Corporate Affairs and Communication,, Loblaw Companies Limited. "Since 2007 we have reduced the number of plastic shopping bags from our stores by more than 2.5 billion."
About WWF
WWF is creating solutions to the most serious conservation challenges facing our planet, helping people and nature thrive. www.wwf.ca.
About Loblaw Companies Limited
Loblaw Companies Limited, a subsidiary of George Weston Limited, is Canada's largest food retailer and a leading provider of drugstore, general merchandise and financial products and services. www.loblaw.ca.
Contacts:
WWF-Canada
Riannon John
416-347-1894
rjohn@wwfcanada.org
www.wwf.ca
Loblaw Public Relations Department
905-459-2500
pr@loblaw.ca
www.loblaw.ca
