In February, the Comox Valley Regional District launched the Road to 2030: Comox Valley Climate Action Challenge, to support community-led climate action projects.
RELATED: CVRD launches challenge to help reduce GHG emissions
“Road to 2030 was an opportunity to support and raise awareness for community-led greenhouse gas emission-reducing projects,” said Alana Mullaly, general manager of Planning and Development Services. “By working together, and encouraging innovation, we can make progress towards reducing our greenhouse gas emissions by 50 per cent of 2007 levels by 2030.”
Community members and non-profit organizations were encouraged to apply for their share of $27,000 in grant money.
On July 12, the CVRD announced the three award winners:
• Comox Youth Climate Council (CYCC) and Lush Valley Food Action Society;
• Conservancy Hornby Island, and;
• Cumberland Forest Community Society.
The CYCC and LUSH received $7,000 for their Edible Indigenous Plant Shelterbelt project. The two groups will work to together to design and install an Edible Indigenous Plant Shelterbelt/Food Forest, which will provide opportunities to train youth in environmental restoration, permaculture design and edible foodscaping. This project will achieve GHG emission reductions by sequestering GHG locally through plant diversity and soil building. GHG reductions are also achieved by reducing the footprint of food transportation.
Conservancy Hornby Island received $9,000 for its Trees For Tomorrow project. Trees for Tomorrow focuses on working with the community to plant trees to fight climate change. This project helps achieve GHG reductions by planting the right tree varieties and mixes in the right locations in order to optimize carbon sequestration potential.
The Cumberland Forest Community Society received $11,000 towards its Lower Perseverance Corridor Project, which aims to protect 12 ha of second-growth forest in the area.
“Congratulations to the 2021 Road to 2030 winners and thank you to all of the applicants,” said Mullaly. “These local projects will help reduce GHG emissions in the Valley and inspire other local climate action initiatives.”
For more information about the Road to 2030 Challenge Award Recipients visit www.connectcvrd.ca/roadto2030