The Environmental Trust Fund is providing about $870,000 to support 26 environmental projects in the Moncton region, including watershed management, bloom research, and flood protection.

“We are proud of the many innovative initiatives supported through the Environmental Trust Fund and we are particularly proud that so many young New Brunswickers are now provided the opportunity to study climate change and other environmental studies here at the post-secondary level,” said Treasury Board Minister Roger Melanson.

“The fund is designed to benefit our province’s air, land and water, but it also supports the green economy and creates jobs throughout the province for today and tomorrow.”

Melanson spoke on behalf of Environment and Local Government Minister Serge Rousselle.

The announcement was hosted by the Université de Moncton, which received $262,500 to undertake eight separate projects. Post-secondary students and researchers will work on a variety of projects that address climate change, increase environmental awareness and protect the environment.

“We are pleased that some of our faculty members have been granted funds to help them carry out their research projects,” said Université de Moncton president and vice-chancellor Raymond Théberge. “Respect for the environment is one of our institution’s core values and this funding will help increase research in key areas.”

The following organizations also received funding:

  • The Southeast Regional Service Commission received $116,000 for two projects; $36,000 for flood risk reduction and $80,000 to undertake public education and awareness of the new regional strategy;
  • The Fundy Biosphere Reserve received $45,000 to increase environmental awareness through a Chignecto Isthmus local knowledge exchange;
  •  Petitcodiac Watershed received $39,500 for two projects; $23,000 to build water quality monitoring capacity in the Petitcodiac and Memramcook River watershed and $16,500 to document the evolution of the Peticodiac River with local ecological knowledge;
  • Shediac Bay Watershed Association received $105,000 for three projects that aim to improve the environment, conservation efforts, and water quality in the Shediac watershed;
  • Homarus Inc. received $70,000 for two projects; $30,000 to undertake educational activities linked to the marine ecosystem and $40,000 to support the Homarus Mobile Laborartory; and
  • The University of Dalhousie received $40,000 to investigate algal blooms in the McLaughlin and Irishtown Reservoirs.

The Environmental Trust Fund is a government program that provides assistance to community groups, organizations, municipalities and institutions for projects that produce tangible, measurable benefits to the environment.

A total of 207 projects valued at $6.5 million have been approved under the fund.

In addition, $1.4 million was invested from the fund in LiDAR technology, an innovative mapping technology, to help manage the environment and resources.

More information, including the list of approved projects and initiatives, is available online.

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