For a next yr, Peterborough Rotary and Cleantech Commons are supporting environmental innovation in the Kawarthas
From boosting awareness about the declining population of monarch butterflies to conserving and enhancing the regional watershed, environmental innovation is alive in Peterborough.
These are but two examples of neighborhood environmental improvements that were being recognized and supported very last year by the Rotary Environmental Innovators Fund (REIF).
With a aim to preserve building momentum in the direction of a “green revolution,” the initiative’s companions — the Rotary Club of Peterborough, the Rotary Club of Peterborough Kawartha, and Cleantech Commons at Trent University — have announced 2024 funding purposes for REIF are officially open up, featuring money help for the region’s environmental innovators.
Ad – written content carries on down below
REIF encourages men and women to get concerned in area environmental endeavours and assignments. In its inaugural calendar year, three environmental innovators (Carlotta James of Monarch Ultra, Craig Onafrychuk of Baxter Creek Watershed Alliance, and environmentalist Dylan Radcliffe) each individual received a $3,000 award, with Christa Plumley of Ava & Ziva and Zachary McCue of REPWR each obtaining a $300 award.
In accordance to a news launch, the next year of REIF “is poised to make an even additional profound influence in 2024,” with an additional five local environmental innovators getting funding of up to $3,000 to carry their vision to life.
“REIF surpassed our expectations in its first yr, and we are thrilled to develop on that results in 2024,” REIF committee chair Graham Wilkins said in the launch. “The overwhelming guidance from the community and the desire it has generated throughout Ontario genuinely underscores the determination to environmental innovation.”
People actively operating on environmental improvements are encouraged to post their purposes for funding on the REIF web site at rotaryenvironmentalchampions.ca/innovators-application/. The deadline for purposes is March 6, 2024.
The options for tasks are expansive, REIF committee member Catherine Legault told kawarthaNOW.
“REIF’s scope encompasses various endeavours, welcoming persons, begin-ups, and smaller companies engaged in assignments that deal with many environmental worries,” Legault stated.
Advertisement – content proceeds down below
Tweet this estimate
“The fund’s target zone is expansive, covering areas this sort of as biodiversity, h2o and wastewater technologies, sustainable foodstuff techniques, local weather modify mitigation, air pollution management, meals sustainability, waste and textile administration, energy era, transportation, agriculture, and cleantech innovations, among the many others.”
“Ultimately, REIF stands committed to supporting one of a kind entrepreneurial ventures with the possible to influence the Peterborough-Kawartha location positively. The fund seeks to empower and allow assignments that add to the broader environmental sustainability plans by fostering a dynamic and inclusive solution,” Legault claimed.
A single of the exclusive options of REIF is its dedication to nurturing the upcoming era of environmental leaders, according to the release. This 12 months, REIF will give $225 in funding to the environmental portion winners of the Peterborough Junior Science Truthful.
Advertisement – articles continues below
Martin Yuill, Cleantech Commons govt director, emphasized the chances REIF unlocks for neighborhood business owners.
“Our partnership with REIF is all about forging pathways for skilled youth, gifted graduates, and the innovators and business people of these days and tomorrow to start off and improve their individual ventures, building employment options, nurturing constructive societal affect, and contributing to the burgeoning environmental sector in the Peterborough location,” Yuill reported in the release.
The 2024 awards party is slated for April 19, 2024, at Camp Kawartha in Douro-Dummer.
Persons and organizations can support REIF by building a money contribution through the REIF web-site. Assistance is acknowledged in a few tiers: $100 (specific winner), $200 (company champion), and $500 or much more (visionary winner).
For much more details about REIF, or to post an application or donate, go to rotaryenvironmentalchampions.ca.