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Home My WebLink AboutHuron Expositor, 2017-06-21, Page 9Grant from NextEra Energy Canada makes it possible to offer more nature education for more local youths at lower costs Donation of $25,000 helps to reduce Ar costs for schools to offer field trips and makes it possible for conservation educators to teach indoors, outdoors More local young people are getting a chance to be active in natural surroundings and learn about water quality and soil health, in local class- rooms, outside in conserva- tion areas, and through water- shed bus tours and field trips. These education opportuni- ties are thanks to another $25,000 grant from NextEra Energy Canada, LP. This is the second consecutive year the company has provided this funding for these local nature education programs. Managers from NextEra Energy Canada visited Morri- son Dam Conservation Area east of Exeter on Thursday, June 15, 2017 to announce the funding to Ausable Bay- field Conservation Authority (ABCA) to make it possible to provide these local school and outdoor conservation education experiences. "I would like to thank Nex- tEra Energy Canada for sup- porting outdoor and nature education for local young people through this grant of $25,000 for 2017," said Brian Homer, ABCA's General Man- ager and Secretary -Treasurer. "This continued support helps to make conservation education even more afford- able for local schools and to offer new and added outdoor nature and education oppor- tunities for the youth of this watershed" This helps stu- dents to make connections with their natural world and to become tomorrow's stew- ards of water, soil, and habi- tat, according to Homer. Continued funding in 2017 will help to subsidize busing for field trips to local conser- vation areas for as many as 1,000 local students. It will also make it possible to pro- vide some free in -school pro- grams to ABCA's watershed schools. Programming by ABCA staff ensures that stu- dents learn about water, soil, and living things found in their watershed. The grant also supports special events for youths and families. Ausable Bayfield Conservation plans to host a bus tour and workshop for secondary school students and offer two special events. One event, where the public can learn about protecting local turtles, is at Morrison Dam Conservation Area on August 31 and the other is at Rock Glen Conservation Area in Arkona where the public can learn about nocturnal adaptations of animals (Date to be determined). A 'Water- shed Warriors' video compe- tition is to be relaunched in 1 i 7-Zaz-r � Thank you to the following businesses and sponsors who helped make the Columbo Classic Spring Scramble a huge success on Saturday, May 27 at the Seaforth Golf & Country Club. Thanks to your generous donations we were able to give $1,000 to the Heart and Stroke Foundation and $4,000 to the Seaforth and Area Food Bank. Thanks Again. The 108 Golfers who took part L. McGrath Plumbing & Heating Progressive Turf Equipment B.J.M. Financial Seaforth Legion Dick Burgess Photography Seaforth Golf Course UPI Energy LP C.I.B.C. Tulips Dental Centre Box Furniture & Floor Coverings Smith Peat Roofing Smith Packaging Vanden Heuvel Structures Nuhn Vet Services Sills Home Hardware KMM Drainage Seaforth Automotive Seaforth Jewellers Rona Cashway TD Canada Trust Total Image II McLaughlin Chev. Ltd. Successables Inc. Advanced Equipment Sales The Lawn Master Devereaux Murray Law Office Blooms 'N Rooms Seaforth Insurance Seaforth Signs Beyond The Vines McGlynn Family Funeral Home McKillop Mutual Ins. Co. Smith Construction Seaforth Freeze King Map Art Paul Haley Pete's Office Pro Carolanne Doig Mary & Kevin Bennett West Coast Distributing Huron Tire & Auto Seaforth Eye Clinic Primitive Creek John A.M.Norris Staffen's Lawn Care Keatings Pharmacy Radar Auto Parts Sofina Foods Waterloo Manufacturing The Looking Glass Meridian MacDonald Automotive Jansen Masonary Culligan Real Estate Graham Nesbitt Sportcheck Irwin Physiotherapy Sifto Salt Pizza Train SJ Fritzley Auto Repair autumn. The new funding also supports community action projects where "stu- dents become leaders" through habitat creation, wetland enhancement, tree planting, and storm drain education. "NextEra Energy Canada is pleased to continue its sup- port of local programs which provide valuable outdoor educational and environ- mental leadership opportu- nities for young people in our community," said Doug McI- ntosh, wind regional general manager for NextEra Energy Canada. "As the world's larg- est generator of renewable energy from the wind and the sun, this contribution reflects our long-term commitment to environmental steward- ship and making a positive difference in the communi- ties we serve." NextEra funding provided to Ausable Bayfield Conserva- tion in 2016 made it possible Wednesday, June 21, 2017 • Huron Expositor 9 to help almost 1,000 local youths to learn about river systems and watersheds. Last year's grant made it possible for 40 secondary school stu- dents to take part in a water- shed bus tour and two-day Innovation, Creativity and Entrepreneurship Training educational event. Students developed innovative and practical solutions to address local water quality challenges. Some of these students were also able to attend a Great Lakes Public Forum where they presented their innova- tive ideas to provincial policy makers. Last year's funding helped Ausable Bayfield Con- servation educators to deliver, free of charge, a multi -phase water systems program for 200 Grade 8 students. There were more than 400 local students in the primary grades who received free in - school programs such as Uncovering Soil Secrets and Our Water World. This was all possible thanks to the grant provided. The funding also helped to cover the cost of a bus to allow an additional 53 students to complete an out- door nature education field trip at a local conservation area owned by ABCA. Research shows active learning in nature improves long-term health, grades at school, and state of mind. 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