Three organizations were granted a total of $30,000 for environmental projects under the Town of Petrolia's Green Leader program.
The initiative, in partnership with Waste Management, is offering $150,000 over 10 years for projects that beautify the town.
Parents For Parks was awarded $15,000 to construct a playground surface made from about 1,800 recycled passenger car tires. An estimated 350,000 pounds of rubber tires will be used, instead of being rerouted to a landfill.
The St. Clair Region Conservation Authority is getting $10,000 for improvements to the Bridgeview Park Wetlands. They include the installation of interpretive signs highlighting unique species, a monarch waystation, bird nesting boxes, tree planting, a viewing bench, phragmites removal, and increased community communication.
The Petrolia and Enniskillen Agricultural Society will use $5,000 to plant trees on its property which will be sourced from a local business. This will help provide some much needed shade for the many community members.
Town of Petrolia Director of Community Services and Facilities Dave Menzies said it's a wonderful program.
"It really addresses the need now, as we head through the 20th century, to take a good look and do some meaningful options to help reduce greenhouse gas and enhance our environment," said Menzies. "It's a great program and we invite everybody to submit an application in the spring of 2021."
The Green Leader program is offering another $120,000 in grants over the next eight years.
Waste Management's goal is to offset four times the greenhouse gas emissions generated through its operations by 2038.
Menzies said details on how to apply for 2021 grants will be announced later this year.
