The first round of Sustainability Grant recipients have been named for this year, as residents in Vernon take further steps to help foster a more sustainable future in the North Okanagan.
Council approved funding for three grant applications at its Regular meeting of May 30, 2022:
- Pollinator Pathway Project: SENS ($1,000)
The Sustainable Environment Network Society (SENS) requested funding to spread awareness and education towards the local Pollinator Pathway Project. This project will educate citizens about the importance of pollinators and their environment, and encourages planting of native species whenever possible, with the goal of weaving a ‘pollinator pathway’ through our community. - Community Garden: Green Timbers ($500)
Green Timbers requested funding for the development of a community garden, rain gardens, and edible landscaping at the Green Timbers townhouse complex. The project will help educate residents on the power of local food production, reducing waste, reusing ‘waste’ (composting), eliminating chemical inputs and increasing urban biodiversity. - Nurses, Citizen Science and Climate Change: Hannah Rempel ($500)
Hannah Rempel requested funding to help understand the nurse’s perspective of utilizing nurses as citizen science participants in response to climate change and its impacts on community health. Hannah will be interviewing nurses and seeking their perspective in using citizen science as a response to climate action here in Vernon.
The City of Vernon’s Sustainability Grants Program is directed at encouraging, facilitating and accelerating sustainability projects led by Vernon residents, youth, non-profit organizations and community groups.
This year, a second round of funding will be available in the fall. Interested applicants will be able to submit their projects for consideration between September 22 - October 24, 2022.
Applications will be evaluated on how the proposed projects help achieve the City’s sustainability objectives, who the project will benefit, and the overall impact of the project on the community.
The Sustainability Grants Program is part of the City’s continued efforts to meet the sustainability objectives in its Official Community Plan. Learn more by visiting the City’s website at www.vernon.ca/sustainability.
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