Friends of Ecological and Environmental Learning (FEEL)
P.O. Box 1292,
Haliburton, ON
K0M 1S0
MEDIA RELEASE July 10, 2024
$79,000 in Ontario Government Grants Created a Splash with the Launch of Mobile Childrens Water Festivals Haliburton, ON: On Wednesday, MPP Laurie Scott joined the team of volunteers with local charity Friends of Ecological and Environmental Learning (FEEL) to celebrate the launch of its mobile Children's Water Festival programs. This launch is largely thanks to two grants, totalling $79,000, from the provincial
government’s Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF). The first was a six-month, $13,000 Capital grant awarded last fall, and the second is a two-year, $66,000 Resilient Communities Fund grant that started this spring. “Our government is proud to help Friends of Ecological and Environmental Learning extend these important water care experiences to even more regional families, schools, and communities in the years to come,”
said Laurie Scott, MPP for Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock. “Together, we are building a future where children and communities understand, appreciate, and protect our precious water resources.”
Thanks to the OTF Capital grant, FEEL purchased a trailer that will store and transport some of its Children Water Festival activity centres to public and partner events. And thanks to the Resilient Communities Fund grant, over the next two years FEEL will build its resiliency and sustainability through strategic planning, updating its fundraising strategies, and adapting its Children's Water Festival programs to reach more
children and youth across Haliburton, Muskoka and Kawartha Lakes. For more than 15 years, FEEL has delivered an annual outdoor Children's Water Festival, a fun day camp about water stewardship, for more than a thousand elementary school children of the Trillium Lakelands District School Board region. Through the pandemic, they have needed to adapt both funding and program approaches. Initial trials of offering a few of their hands-on activities at public events and in partnerships with local libraries and the Kushog Lake Association went well. The trailer, additional staff time and fundraising plan involved in the OTF investment promise to carry important water care inspiring experiences
to more regional families, schools, cottagers and regional communities in the seasons and years to come. In fact, on this Saturday July 13 th , they’ll be offering a Water Festival on Kennisis Lake with the Lake Association and Marina there. FEEL’s mission is to advance the public’s awareness, understanding and appreciation of ecosystems through education. Their volunteers from within regional communities, secondary and post-secondary programs enjoy learning exchanges and connections in giving back to water that gives life. To get involved,
folk can find them online or contact info@waterheroes.ca “Whether it’s helping people learn new things, connect with their community, or simply have fun, organizations like the Friends of Ecological and Environmental Learning deliver experiences that make a difference,” said Stan Cho, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Gaming. “That’s why grant support through the Ontario Trillium Foundation is so important. This funding will help ensure that it remains at the heart of the community for decades to come." The Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) is an agency of the Ontario government with a mission to build healthy and vibrant communities across the province. Last year, OTF invested more than $110M into 1,044 community projects and multi-sector partnerships. Projects aim to enhance economic well-being, foster more active lifestyles, support child and youth development, provide spaces for people to come together and connect, and create a more sustainable environment. Visit otf.ca to learn more.
Organization Contact for Media Inquiries:
Kara Mitchell ~ Haliburton-Muskoka-Kawartha Children's Water Festival Coordinator of local charity;
Friends of Ecological and Environmental Learning (FEEL).
m: 705-471-0272
info@ waterheroes.ca / hmkchildrenswaterfestival@gmail.com .
hmwaterfestival.ca . waterheroes.ca . ecoenvirolearn.org