The new Carbon Footprint Initiative hosted its grand reveal at Trillium Mutual in Listowel Thursday.
Deb Shewfelt, the Chair of CFI and a vice chair of Maitland Valley Conservation, says getting local support was key.
"We had the idea that there's probably leaders in the community that can help us. I feel that this needs to be done by the people on the front lines. So we are very fortunate to deal with the businesses we have here and get great support."
Phil Beard, the General Manager of Maitland Valley Conservation, explained some of the things the members of the CFI are undertaking to help improve the environment in the watershed.
"All of the members of the leadership team have pledged to plant trees to compensate for the amount of fossil fuels they have to burn, as well as moving to more fuel efficient technology and electrical technology that will help them reduce their carbon footprint."
Beard feels this initial group is a great start, but he hopes to see this initiative spread throughout the entire watershed.
"We're hoping it spreads to all municipalities within the watershed, and all the businesses as well. We think it's a great initiative that will help them save money, and time, and also really improve the environment."
The Carbon Footprint Initiative Founding Members list includes: Deb Shewfelt, Chair, MVCA; Kriss Snell, CAO, Municipality of North Perth; Richard Keeso, President, J.H. Keeso and Sons Ltd.; Joe Dietrich, CEO, Trillium Mutual Insurance Company; Tim Macdonald, CEO, Ideal Supply Co. Ltd.; Ron Coghlin, Chairman, Molesworth Farm Supply ltd.; Chet Calhoun, Productivity Improvement Coordinator, Dupont Pioneer, Wingham Parent Seed Plant.
Ron Coghlin, left, of Molesworth Farm Supply, presents a cheque to Art Versteeg, the Chair of MVCA, as part of the Carbon Footprint Initiative reveal on Thursday, October 16th, 2016. (Photo by Ryan Drury)
