TORONTO, April 20, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- By sinking old Christmas trees to improve habitat in Ontario, restoring passages for endangered Bay of Fundy Atlantic salmon and working with farmers to reclaim agricultural wetlands in Saskatchewan, water-conservation groups across the country are improving Canada’s freshwater future with support from the Loblaw Water Fund.
The 2018 Loblaw Water Fund, managed by WWF-Canada, has awarded $250,000 to 11 community projects to improve freshwater health in ecosystems across Canada. During the last four years, Loblaw Water Fund projects have engaged more than 9,000 volunteers and 50 organizations to restore more than 200 hectares of habitat for freshwater species, plant 21,000 trees and wetland plants and collect more than 1,000 water samples.
Elizabeth Hendriks, WWF-Canada’s vice-president of freshwater conservation, says:
“The Loblaw Water Fund provides essential financial support to help local conservation and community groups take action to right the course of Canada’s freshwater future for people and wildlife. The projects WWF selected will help address threats identified in WWF’s Watershed Reports and contribute to a better understanding of the health of our waters where data isn’t available. Ensuring healthy waters across Canada is an enormous task, but one we can accomplish together.”
Bob Chant, Loblaw senior vice-president, corporate affairs, says:
“We are proud to support this year’s recipients and commend them on the important work they’re doing to preserve and protect Canada’s freshwater. Through the Loblaw Water Fund, and our partnership with WWF, we are finding more opportunities to engage Canadians across the country in environmental protection and the Fund ensures greater support for those working to conserve our natural environment.”
The 2018 Loblaw Water Fund grant recipient projects are:
About Loblaw Companies Limited
Loblaw Companies Limited is Canada's food and pharmacy leader, the nation's largest retailer, and the majority unit holder of Choice Properties Real Estate Investment Trust. Loblaw provides Canadians with grocery, pharmacy, health and beauty, apparel, general merchandise, banking, and wireless mobile products and services. With more than 2,400 corporate, franchised and Associate-owned locations, Loblaw, its franchisees, and Associate-owners employ approximately 200,000 full- and part-time employees, making it one of Canada's largest private sector employers. Loblaw's purpose – Live Life Well – puts first the needs and well-being of Canadians who make one billion transactions annually in the companies' stores.
About World Wildlife Fund Canada
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Emily Vandermeer WWF-Canada 519-616-1556 evandermeer@wwfcanada.org