In recognition of Earth Day, the Town of Petrolia and Waste Management have announced the five grant recipients of this year's Green Leader Program.
The application period opened in February and closed at the end of March.
The successful projects will split $15,000.
Nearly half of the funding was awarded to the Petrolia 150 committee for the band shell at Victoria Park. As stated in a media release, $7,000 will allow for the addition of low-flow washroom features, motion-activated faucets, LED lighting and motion-activated lighting.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony for the band shell is expected to take place this spring to celebrate the town's milestone anniversary.
The Petrolia 150 committee also received $3,000 to add an Indigenous friendship garden next to the Victoria Park band shell. The garden will include orange flowers, a central stone feature, and a land recognition message.
Petrolia Discovery received $3,000 to establish a hedgerow, consisting of native trees and shrubs.
Generations Daycare and the Kiwanis Club of Petrolia and Area each received $1,000 for their respective projects.
The daycare plans to add a multi-generational nature garden to conserve butterflies and insects. The garden will be located by the front door and students will help with planting and weeding.
The Kiwanis Club plans to expand a preschool gardening project by adding a rain barrel, AeroGardens to five programs, and supplying seed kits for all 11 AeroGardens.
“Earth Day is the perfect day for this annual announcement as it brings community attention to the issues facing the earth and through this program, it is a nice opportunity to do our part," said Chief Administrative Officer/Treasurer Rick Charlebois. "Residents are encouraged to visit earthday.org to learn more about what they can do for our planet. We are very grateful for this partnership with Waste Management for the betterment of our community and for our earth.”
The program is meant to encourage the development of community engagement and environmental solutions.
