Tantramar switches gears in provincial environmental project funding
After three years of using the province’s Environmental Trust Fund to pay for a part-time climate change coordinator to work with town staff, the municipality is moving in a new direction this year, and has obtained a grant of just over $24,000 to produce a wetlands-themed play for youth and tour the production to local schools.
The province’s Environmental Trust Fund supports 190 environmental initiatives throughout the province, including about ten in the Tantramar region which take on things like watershed monitoring, energy efficiency, and wetlands education.
Since 2021, the town has received roughly $35,000 per year from the fund to help pay for a part-time climate change coordinator. The position was created in partnership with EOS Eco Energy, and so was never part of Tantramar’s unionized staff, but worked closely with the town’s Community and Corporate Services department.
Over the years, three different climate change coordinators have helped with research and recommendations for initiatives like electrifying the town’s vehicle fleet, coordinating the installation of solar panels on the Bill Johnstone Park building, and creating a ‘climate lens’ system in staff reporting to council.
At the end of Monday’s committee of the whole meeting, CHMA asked about the decision not to seek further funding for a part time climate change coordinator.… Continue