Learning about wetland restoration, the rarity of stickleback salmon, how to observe nature and what it takes to create a green building are just some of the programs that will benefit from provincial funding in 2008.
Sechelt, Gibsons and Madeira Park will all benefit from provincial funding to non-profit organizations aimed at making their communities environmentally safer, thanks to community gaming grants being given out through Soli-citor General John Les and Environment Minister Barry Penner.
In Gibsons, the Elphinstone Marine Rescue Association and the Sunshine Coast Botanical Garden Society got $20,000 and $15,000 respectively. In Sechelt, the Sunshine Coast Marine Rescue Society got $55,000. In Madeira Park, the Pender Harbour and District Marine Rescue Society received $10,000 and the Ruby Lake Lagoon Nature Reserve Society received a total of $43,000.
Michael Jackson, president of the Lagoon Society, said the money means the society will be able to expand its services and programs to the thousands of students and community members who use the Iris Griffith Centre and the many programs put on by the society since they first started three and a half years ago.
Jackson said the money would go towards increasing the availability of current programs and creating new ones for the upcoming year. Last year Jackson said the society was able to hire eight staff people. This year they're hoping to hire 10 people to help put on programs like the Lagoonies Club for youngsters who meet Mondays after school from October to December.
Jackson said it's a great opportunity for kids to explore the world around them, to learn about different animals, fish, insects and plants that live and thrive in forest and wetland habitats and to learn how to be environmental stewards.
Some of the new funding will also go to the ongoing "greening" of the Iris Griffith Centre, Jackson said. He said they are in the process of putting in more trails in the area, putting a green roof on the centre and putting in a new reed bed water filtration system.
In 2008, there will be a series of green workshops where people will get the chance to learn "practical and hands-on skills like what it takes to put on a green roof," Jackson explained.
To find out more about the Ruby Lake Lagoon Society and the Iris Griffith Centre, check out www.lagoonsociety.com. To find out more about what organizations received gaming grants and how to apply, go to www.pssg.gov.bc.ca/gaming.
