Ontario Land Trust Alliance, 2010 Gathering

Thurs-Sat, Oct 28th-30th, 2010
Expanding Horizons - OLTA's 2010 Gathering
Ontario Land Trust Alliance
Peterborough

Lots of workshops and speakers, including hearing from funders on the status of their programs for land conservation.

"We are looking forward to another fantastic gathering with more workshops, more field workshops and more networking opportunities. In keeping with the theme of "Expanding Horizons", we are looking to provide you with information on new potential partners while learning more regarding the Canadian Land Trust Standards and Practices."

The Aviva Community Fund + Todmorden MiIls

With only 8 days left to vote an idea into the semi-finals, the Aviva Community Fund is getting down-to-wire exciting.

Today I'm voting for the Native Plantings at Todmorden Mills.

Todmorden Mills Wildflower Preserve is not only worth supporting, but visiting too. You don't just have to take my word for that. When Canadian painter, naturalist and conservation activist Robert Bateman was in Toronto this past spring, he took the time to suss out the place himself. He soon came across Paula Davies, hard at work with the good plants (and the ongoing invasives) as usual. The cool thing is, among her many inspiring hats, Paula's not only a Todmorden Mills field stewardship, chair and board veteran, but a conservation activist herself, as well as a guide at the preserve for groups including the Botanical Artists of Canada, and a full time art teacher! Of course she dropped her gloves to give the good man and his family a personal tour. Lucky guy! (Though apparently the Scotch Broom where he's at on Salt Spring Island in BC is a personal misery.) And, yes, Paula enjoyed the spontaneous discussion too :)

Right now though I hope that, like me and you, the busy Mr. Bateman is making the time to directly help fund the good work and ecology at Todmorden Mills and elsewhere by *voting* today and everyday for the next week too!

Remember everyone gets 2 votes a day for the next 8 days. I've put a reminder in my calendar to make sure I keep going back, because, wow, it really does matter! :)

*
Interested in volunteer stewardship and other volunteer opportunities at Todmorden Mills? Click here.

Upcoming Funding Deadlines

Wal-Mart – Evergreen Green Grants Program
Deadline: March 27, 2009
Evergreen Common Grounds is accepting applications for this Wal-Mart sponsored and Evergreen led "Green Grants" Program supporting community environmental restoration projects. Green Grants provide funds of up to $10,000 to local community groups working on urban naturalization projects focused on the restoration and stewardship of urban habitats such as woodlands, meadows, wetlands and ravines through the use of native plants. This grant also supports community gardening projects that involve native plants and food gardening. For full information on eligibility and how to apply, please download a program guide and application form from Evergreen's Funding page.

Toronto Parks and Trees Foundation's 2009 Community Grants Program
Deadline: Proposals must be post-marked by March 31, 2009.
This fund is designed to support volunteer and community organizations actively involved in enhancing Toronto’s public parkland and urban forest. Grants are made for projects on city parkland and public open space within our five program categories: park improvements; environmental education; natural area preservation; environmental related recreation; and communications and public education. Grant awards will range from $1,000 - $2,500. For more information please call (416) 397-5178 or email parksandtrees@toronto.ca.

If you're interested in those, you might also want to check out the City of Toronto's "Clean and Beautiful City Programs" and the Toronto Community Garden Network (TGCN) - it's not just veggies. :)

also see Funding links on the right.