Mississauga, ON – On Wednesday, local MPP Natalia Kusendova-Bashta was on hand at The Riverwood Conservancy’s offices to hear from staff and volunteers about how two Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) grants totaling $220,200 have supported the organization’s fundraising and strategic planning initiatives and helped develop a summer program for Indigenous youth.
“The Riverwood Conservancy plays a crucial role in our community to promote understanding and respect for Indigenous traditions and cultures, as well as reconciliation. These investments by the Ontario Trillium Foundation will have a significant impact on Indigenous youth, providing them with a one-of-a-kind and valuable learning experience that will help shape their future and contribute to a positive society for all. I am eager to witness the positive influence this land-based education program will have on Indigenous youth and our community as a whole,” said Natalia Kusendova-Bashta, MPP for Mississauga Centre.
An OTF Resilient Communities Fund grant of $150,000, awarded in 2022, funded several organizational initiatives for The Riverwood Conservancy, including strategic planning, an expansion of fundraising capabilities, and the development of summer camp programs that will allow children in Mississauga to learn about nature and experience the joy of the outdoors at Riverwood.
An OTF Seed Grant of $70,200, first awarded in 2020, supported Gwayakochigaye, a program that aimed to help Indigenous students connect with the land, their culture, and learn about nature and climate change through both Western and Indigenous lenses. The Gwayakochigaye program was delivered in collaboration with the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board and the University of Toronto Mississauga.
“We’re thrilled to have the incredible support of the Ontario Trillium Foundation,” said Sara Wilbur-Collins, Executive Director of The Riverwood Conservancy. “These grants have let us not only deliver vital programs like Gwayakochigaye, but also plan for the future our programs, which people from across Mississauga and beyond depend on to safely connect with nature.”
The Riverwood Conservancy is a registered charity that provides programs and direction for Riverwood, a 150-acre urban nature preserve situated on the shores of the Credit River in Mississauga. The Conservancy enables people of all cultures, ages, and abilities to respectfully connect with nature and learn about the importance of conserving natural spaces for the well-being of future generations. Visit theriverwoodconservancy.org to learn more.
The Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF), an agency of the Government of Ontario, and one of Canada’s leading granting foundations celebrates 40 years of grant-making in Ontario and making a lasting impact in communities. Last year, OTF invested over $110M into 1,022 community projects and partnerships. Visit otf.ca to learn more.
Photo: Left to right: Heather Shaw, Chair of the Board of The Riverwood Conservancy; Natalia Kusendova-Bashta, MPP Mississauga Centre; and Sara Wilbur-Collins, Executive Director of The Riverwood Conservancy Credit: Peeter Poldre
