The province of New Brunswick has announced another year of project funding with its Environmental Trust Fund, and about $500,000 of the $8.6 million funding package will go towards 13 projects directly impacting the Tantramar region.
A large share of the funding—$190,000—will go to the Southeast Regional Services Commission for five different projects including mattress recycling, glass recycling, a re-use expo, waste education, and a program to help communities clean up illegal dump sites.
Another large share will go to EOS Eco Energy, to help fund three ongoing projects: water quality monitoring in the Rockport-Dorchester area, a program to help residents with energy retrofits for their homes, and another to help people in the Chignecto area reduce their flood risk.
EOS is also involved in a fourth project in partnership with the town of Tantramar. The town will receive $35,000 in funding towards continuing its climate change coordinator position. Corporate services director Kieran Miller shared the news with council this week, and said they would see a motion come through as soon as the province sends a formal letter of offer.
“This is the Environmental Trust Fund that we’ve applied for for the past three years to fund the climate change coordinator position,” said Miller. “It’s a partnership between ourselves and EOS Eco Energy, and we pitched it as a two year pilot… We’ve been finding a lot of success with the position, so we went for a third year.”
Miller explained via email that Tantramar’s 2023 staffing structure and budget (decided by the province) actually included a position for Climate Change Co-ordinator, and the position will likely be included in the municipality’s 2024 budget, pending council approval. But this year, while funding is available, EOS Eco Energy will manage the position on behalf of the town, using the ETF grant.
Four other non-profit organizations will also have projects funded in Tantramar this year.
The Sackville-based Community Forests International will get a $20,000 grant towards protecting, restoring and adapting Wabanaki-Acadian forests.
The Nature Conservancy of Canada will receive a similar amount for its People and Peeps project based out of the Johnson’s Mills Shorebird Interpretive Centre off Dorchester Cape Road.
The Tantramar Wetlands Centre based out of Tantramar Regional High will get $40,000 to put towards its education of students and teachers on the importance and biology of wetlands.
And finally, Fort Folly Habitat Recovery will receive $30,000 to put towards restoration and monitoring of Petitcodiac & Memramcook watersheds, as well as local watercourses near the Fort Folly community.
ETF funding 2023-24 with local impact in Tantramar
Click here for the full list of 2023-24 NB Environmental Trust Fund projects in pdf form.
Community Forests International
Woodland Assessment and Action Plan for Climate Readiness
Community Forests International will work to protect and restore the Wabanaki-Acadian Forest, encourage climate change-resilient species and adapt these forests for long-term community and climate benefits.
$ 20,000
Nature Conservancy of Canada – Atlantic Regional Office
People and Peeps 2023 – NCC’s Johnson’s Mills Shorebird Interpretive Centre
People and Peeps 2023 project will increase environmental awareness of the upper Bay of Fundy and its critical role in the annual migration of shorebirds.
$ 21,300
Fort Folly Habitat Recovery
Mi’kmaq district of Sikniktewaq Stewardship: Restoration & Monitoring
This project proposes to continue stewardship efforts within the Mi’gmaq district of Sikniktewaq, Fort Folly’s traditional territory, encompassing the Petitcodiac & Memramcook watersheds, as well as local watercourses near their community.
$ 30,000
Tantramar Wetlands Centre
Developing Wetlands Awareness in Today’s Youth
The Tantramar Wetland Centre will educate student and teachers on the importance of wetlands and their functions and also guide them in teaching other teachers and student on the subject
$ 40,000
EOS Eco-Energy/Énergie Inc.
Water Quality Monitoring and Public Education in the Rockport- Dorchester Watershed
EOS Eco-Energy will carry out water quality monitoring in the Rockport- Dorchester area as well as hosting public education campaign to inform residents on the importance of good water quality.
$ 64,000
Southeast Regional Service Commission 7
Expanding The Reuse Expo
The Southeast Regional Service Commission will hold an Eco Fair where people can drop off material that can be re-used by community organizations and keep those material from ending up in the landfill.
$ 20,000
Southeast Regional Service Commission 7
Cleaning Up in Southeastern NB
The Southeast Regional Service Commission, Solid Waste Services (Eco360) will work with surrounding communities to help identify and provide them with the tools to carry out proper cleanup of illegal dump sites.
$ 30,000
Southeast Regional Service Commission 7
Glass Recycling Awareness
The Southeast Regional Service Commission will expand their glass recycling territory as well as launch a public awareness campaign on glass recycling.
$ 40,000
Southeast Regional Service Commission 7
Southeast NB Waste Education Program
Eco360 and the Southeast Regional Service Commission will undertake a large-scale, sustained public education and awareness campaign to educate Southeastern NB on various aspects of sustainable waste management.
$ 50,000
Southeast Regional Service Commission 7
Mattress Recycling Southeast NB
The Southeast Regional Service Commission Solid Waste – Eco360 wants to further divert material from the landfill in the region by targeting mattress recycling from residents of southeastern New Brunswick.
$ 50,000
Town of Sackville
Coordinating Municipal Climate Action in Tantramar
The Town of Sackville will work to coordinate the various climate change action related activities in its newly formed territory.
$ 35,000
EOS Eco-Energy/Énergie Inc.
Efficiency & Clean Energy for All: Strengthening Citizens as Partners for Climate Protection
EOS Energy will provide education about energy opportunities such as affordable retrofits, energy efficiency, renewable & clean sources of energy with the goal of reducing emissions by empowering citizens, teachers, youth & municipalities.
$ 50,000
EOS Eco-Energy/Énergie Inc.
Risk Assessments and Education to Help Advance Climate Adaptation in New Brunswick
EOS Energy will continue its effort in helping reduce flood risks of local residents of the Chignecto border and educate them on the impacts of climate change.
$ 60,000
