Conservation Area trails to receive facelift

Conservation Sudbury’s Bridging the Gaps project has received an Earth Day Canada Community Environment Fund grant, which it will use to restore and repair the highly used trail network at the Lake Laurentian Conservation Area.

Bridges, boardwalks and interpretive signs will be constructed and installed throughout the 50 kilometres of trail in the area.

The bridges and boardwalks will protect sensitive wetlands and areas and new interpretive signs will enhance the educational experience of visitors by featuring information on the area’s unique geology, restoration and recovery, fish and fish habitat, flora and fauna.

A new volunteer branch called Trail Watchers will adopt and monitor trails and report issues to Conservation Sudbury.

Since its launch in June 2009, the Earth Day Canada Community Environment Fund has distributed over $1.3 million in grants to 99 community-based initiatives across Ontario.

“The most important environmental work happens at the community level,” said Jed Goldberg, president of Earth Day Canada.

“These organizations are shining examples of how communities across Ontario are taking action to improve the health and well-being of their citizens.”

Grants are awarded to applicants that demonstrate the greatest need for funding, the most innovation in addressing local environmental issues and the greatest likelihood of a sustainable impact in their local community.

The Earth Day Canada Community Environment Fund is supported by Sobeys.

“Sobeys is pleased to extend its support to environmental programs across Ontario through the Earth Day Canada Community Environment Fund,” said Trevor Bartlett, general manager of Sobeys in Ontario.

“Since 2009, we’ve proudly supported 99 environmental initiatives across the province that educate and inspire positive action in local communities.”

The Earth Day Canada Community Environment Fund was established in June 2009 to provide financial support to grassroots charities, not-for-profit organizations and schools to develop sustainable projects that foster environmental education and action in communities across Ontario.

For more information about the fund, visit www.earthday.ca.