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City offers grants for environmental projects

Grant applications for watershed restoration and other environmental and sustainability projects now open

NEWS RELEASE - Distributed February 13, 2025 1:31 PM

Summary

Beginning February 14, 2025, the City of Nanaimo will be accepting applications for two separate grants focused on funding community environmental projects. These grants help implement Nanaimo's City Plan goals and improve livability in our community. Projects may focus on park restoration, urban stream and riparian enhancement, natural environment protection and climate change adaption solutions.

The Community Watershed Restoration Grant provides up to $20,000 in grant funds and is available annually to community organizations, environmental non-profits and individual residents that aim to carry out watershed restoration projects. These projects will focus on urban stream and riparian restoration enhancement and natural environment protection. Eligible applicants are encouraged to apply for funding. Projects that have received funding from the Community Watershed Restoration grant in the past include invasive species removal and restoration along Joseph and McGregor Creeks, water quality monitoring on Diver Lake and wetland restoration at a housing co-operative.

The Community Environmental Sustainability Project Grant was created to support small and creative environmental projects not already covered by existing City of Nanaimo grants, including the Community Watershed Restoration Grant. A total of $20,000 in grant funds has been available annually since 2023. Up to $5,000 in project funding will be available per application. Eligible community organizations, including environmental nonprofits, local stewardship groups, school groups, religious organizations and participants in the Acting for Climate Together program are encouraged to apply.

Funding will be used to support projects that improve the environmental health of natural systems, enhance resident connections to nature, provide educational values, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and/or prepare the community for climate change impacts. Projects that have received funding from the Community Environmental Sustainability Project Grant in the past include a neighbourhood tree planting workshop, environmental restoration and student education project in Wardropper Park and the use of thermal imaging cameras to educate homeowners about energy efficiency in homes.

More details regarding both grant opportunities are provided in the Grant Guidelines and Criteria. Application forms are available on the Grants page on the City’s website. The deadline for submitting applications is 4 p.m. on Friday, April 4, 2025.

Link to Strategic Plan: Both the Community Watershed Restoration and Community Environmental Sustainability Project grant will be evaluated based on how they support the Green Goals of City Plan - Nanaimo ReImagined

Key Points

  • The City is inviting applications for two environmental action grants concurrently. The Community Watershed Restoration Grant is for restoration and habitat protection projects near a river, lake or wetland and the Community Environmental Sustainability Project Grant supports a wide variety of sustainability projects.
  • Up to $20,000 in total project funding is available for the Community Watershed Restoration Grants and the Community Environmental Sustainability Project Grant (up to $5,000 per project) respectively.
  • The Community Environmental Sustainability Project Grant was created to support small and creative environmental projects not already covered by existing City of Nanaimo grants. The Community Watershed Restoration Grant was created for watershed restoration projects with a focus on urban stream and riparian restoration enhancement and natural environment protection.
  • Applications for both grants will be accepted between February 14, 2025 to April 4, 2025 at 4 p.m.

Quotes

"These grants are another step forward in improving our environment and reducing the effects of climate change. Each step we take adds momentum and gives confidence for the next. By working together, we can collectively make a real difference to the health of our planet and within our surrounding community."

Leonard Krog
Mayor
City of Nanaimo
-30-

Contact:

For media enquiries, please contact
Communications
City of Nanaimo
250-754-4251

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