Mississauga, ON – On Friday, local MPP Natalia Kusendova-Bashta was on hand at one of The Riverwood Conservancy’s restoration areas to see first-hand how an Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) Grow grant of $213,800 has supported the organization’s environmental conservation work at Riverwood.
“I support The Riverwood Conservancy’s extraordinary work in protecting Mississauga’s precious ecosystems and congratulate them on receiving the Ontario Trillium Foundation’s Grow Grant,” said Natalia Kusendova-Bashta, MPP for Mississauga Centre. “This project is a great educational opportunity for all participants and allows them to contribute towards the conservation and restoration efforts at Riverwood Park.”
The grant, awarded in 2020, provided multi-year funding for The Riverwood Conservancy’s conservation programs, which engage volunteers to remove invasive species and plant native trees and wildflowers to support sensitive natural areas and reduce off-trail foot traffic. The programs also see members of the community take part in citizen science projects that help monitor the prevalence of plant and wildlife species.
“Our conservation programs wouldn’t be as impactful as they are without the extraordinary support of the Ontario Trillium Foundation,” said Sara Wilbur-Collins, Executive Director of The Riverwood Conservancy. “This grant helps us protect plant life and wildlife habitat, while making it possible for people in our community to connect with nature in ways that respect our diverse ecosystems.”
About The Riverwood Conservancy
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.
About the Ontario Trillium Foundation
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.
Left to right: Derek Stone, Director of Programs, The Riverwood Conservancy; Natalia Kusendova-Bashta, MPP for Mississauga Centre; Sara Wilbur-Collins, Executive Director, The Riverwood Conservancy; Heather Shaw, Chair of the Board of Directors, The Riverwood Conservancy