HomeMy WebLinkAboutEnv - 2010 Community Environmental Improvement Grant (CEIG) - Grant Recipients Final ReportCommunity Environmental Improvement Grant
2010 Application Form
Name of Program /Project:
Quantifying the Effectiveness of the Waterloo Region Idle Free School Initiative.
Total Program /Project Costs: $ $45,000
Total Requested from City of Kitchener: $ 3,000
Applicant Information
Project Coordinator:
Telephone: Work
Fax
Email Address:
Name of Group /Organization: My Sustainable Canada and Dads Against Dirty Air
Group /Organization Type: Non-Profit YES Community Group Other
Mailing Address:
Telephone Number:
Email Ad
Website: _www.mysustainablecanada.org
1) Group /Organization's Mission and Mandate
Please provide a brief overview of your mission and mandate.
My Sustainable Canada is snot-for-profit organization and as researchers and
practitioners, we seek to further our understanding of sustainable consumption and
encourage citizens to be mindful consumers.
My Sustainable Canada was created to help bridge gaps in knowledge, encourage
collaboration and provide a national vision on sustainable consumption. My Sustainable
Canada's mission is to advance knowledge and cooperation on sustainable consumption
and to build greater understanding and support among decision-makers and the wider
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public by:
- Developing tools that consolidate information on the sustainability of products
and services in the most credible and user-friendly way possible
- Fostering direct outreach and partnerships with citizens, retailers, businesses,
governments, NGOs and other partners
My Sustainable Canada's current body of work can be categorized into four main areas:
- Sustainable consumption
- Energy and fuel consumption
- Sustainable tourism
- Models for sustainability
2) Group /Organizational History and Successes
Please describe when you were formed, any affiliations you have and major
accomplishments to date.
My Sustainable Canada was founded in 2007. My Sustainable Canada works with non-
governmental organizations, municipalities, businesses and universities to incorporate a
variety of expert opinions and to utilize talented scholars and researchers. My
Sustainable Canada is a member of many advisory groups and organizations related to
sustainable consumption. My Sustainable Canada is the Chair of the Ontario Snow
Resorts Association Environmental Best Practices Taskforce as well as a member of the
Canadian Environmental Network and the Ontario Environment Network. To date, My
Sustainable Canada has completed a variety of research projects and developed
programs to support reduced fuel consumption.
Programs:
- Developed the Idle Free Toolkit for Schools for Natural Resources Canada (to be
online fall 2010)
- Successful implementation of the Engine Idling Reduction Program for Ski
Resorts
Research Projects:
- Evaluating Technologies that Promote Fuel Efficient Driving Practices among
Municipal Fleet
- Monitoring and Characterizing Effects of Weather on Driver Behaviour
- Tracking Driver Behaviour and Fuel Consumption for Three Ski Resort Fleets
- Diesel Retrofit Pilot Program for School Buses in Peel and Halton Regions
For more information on these initiatives, please see our website:
http://www.mysustainablecanada.org/proiects/energy-a-fuel-consumption.html
For this project, we are partnering with Dads Against Dirty Air (DADA). DADA, is a
volunteer-based organization that empowers parents and teachers to reach out to school
parents and school bus drivers to make a simple pledge to be idle-free on school
property and in the community -for the health of the planet, our kids and for clean air.
DADA was piloted as an idea in Halton region over a year ago and is now expanding
into Waterloo Region.
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PROPOSALINFORMATION
Project or Program Summary
Please describe briefly (200 word maximum) the program or project, what is the
rationale for the project or program, when will it start and finish:
The goal of this project is to engage `activated' parents and teachers concerned about
vehicle idling and air pollution at local schools, and provide them with a resource kit to
launch and run an effective BE IDLE FREE outreach campaign to drivers and parents.
This can range from a simple marketing and outreach campaign on school property to
that of students reaching out to parents, family, friends and neighbours to pledge to be
idle-free. Surveys, newsletter articles, signage, banners and pledge cards will all support
an idle free message. This leveraged social marketing strategy increases word-of-mouth
knowledge about the need to do the right thing through peer acknowledgement.
To complement this program which has been funded to start for the 2010-2011 school
year in Waterloo Region, My Sustainable Canada is seeking funding to research and
evaluate the effectiveness of this program. Research would involve monitoring drop-off
and pick-up areas of 4 schools in Kitchener before and after the idling reduction
campaign has taken place. Measurements will be taken before the campaign in order to
gain baseline data on the current state of idling in drop-off and pick-up areas of local
schools. After the Idling Reduction Campaign has been launched by DADA, researchers
and students working for My Sustainable Canada will then collect data again. Once data
has been collected before and after the campaign launch, statistical analysis will be
completed with help from students at the University of Waterloo.
Importance of the Program or Project
Please explain briefly (200 word maximum) the benefits and/or importance to the
community of the program or project:
The unnecessary idling of engines in cities across Canada creates `localized air
pollution' that immediately affects the surroundings and people nearby. Children are
most affected each day from idling engines due to vehicle congestion at schools as well
as the dangers of diesel exhaust from school buses. There have been initiatives across
Canada to reduce idling and inform drivers of their impact on the environment. One
question, however, remains unanswered: Are these programs effective? Quantifying the
impact of this initiative and quantifying the amount of C02 reduced will support future
idling reduction initiatives.
As outlined in Kitchener's strategic plan for the environment, air quality is a key concern.
Reducing idling across the city is one of the best bets that was proposed by Kitchener's
Environmental Advisory Committee. This idling reduction campaign at schools will have
many environmental benefits. If we reach out to 5,000 drivers for pledges in year 1
alone, that will mean $547,500 in fuel will be spared and a reduction of over 1,200
tonnes of CO2. This is based on 10 minutes of reduced idling per driver per day'.
Calculations based on fuel consumption and emissions rates from: Environment Canada,
National Inventory Report 1990-2007, Table A12-11, April 2009
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Most importantly, the immediate environment of participating school neighbourhoods will
have cleaner air to breathe and less vehicle noise pollution. This will result in reduced
smog and harmful effects on adults and students impacted by respiratory illnesses.
Goals /Objectives of the Program or Project
Please list the short and long-term goals, the environmental benefits, and how the
program or project addresses environmental issues and/or problems in Kitchener:
• 12 schools will run idle-free measurable programs, reaching out to approximately
2,500 students and 300 parents at each school, an estimated 5,000 drivers
• 4 of these school communities will facilitate survey data and promote additional
outreach involving home, family and neighbours. Approximately 400 students will
be challenged to reach out to 10 people each, return 4,000 signed pledge sheets
• At the 12 schools, pledges will be gathered from approximately 50 school bus
drivers who will receive acknowledgement given compliance on school property
• A comprehensive media and community outreach campaign will take place
• DADA will produce training materials and a video to help train volunteers, drivers
and citizens on the myths around idling and proper operations of a vehicle.
Measures of success include:
• Number of pledges received, C02 reduced, fuel savings, air quality improvement
• Qualitative feedback from parents, students and staff at participating schools
• Pre and post data on idling behaviours of drivers at schools can be compared to
quantify the effectiveness of the campaign and any subsequent reductions in
greenhouse gas emissions.
• Number of media, community partners from the broader community campaign
• Number of volunteers and sustainability strategy for program after the first year
• Potential tie-in with the local Active & Safe Routes to School travel plan pilots
which include no idling zones as a component of a broader umbrella strategy
• Linking our children's health with vehicle idling and air pollution can result in
families realizing how their daily habits do impact our air and our health.
Budget
Please provide a budget showing anticipated costs; what is the total budget, how much
is requested from the City, what are the other contributions (shared funding, volunteer
labor, donated materials, fundraising):
The campaign launch and all capital expenses are covered by support from Environment
Canada. My Sustainable Canada is requesting $3000 to research the impact of this
initiative
• $3,000 -Research, training, and survey support for school campaigns
o $1,600 ($400 x 4) -Data Collection at 4 Kitchener schools before and
after campaign launch.
o $1,400 ($700 x 2) -Statistical Analysis of data collected.
Expenses covered by Environment Canada
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• $6,000 ($500 x 12) -Print 12 Idling Campaign in box kits (signs, banners and
pledge cards, brochures) and preliminary mailout to schools and health nurses
• $8,000 -Create 3 special events campaign kit, table top display and laptop
• $12,000 -Create 3 school display booths, handouts, supplies, pledge challenge
• $4,000 -Advertising as part of community media outreach campaign
• $10,000 -Volunteer recruitment, training, survey support for school campaigns
• $2,000 -Local office overhead and travel expenses
Work Schedule
Please provide the timeline, tasks or steps involved in planning and implementing the
program and/or project:
Below is an outline of the entire program. The areas highlighted by bold font are those
which will be covered by the research aspect of this project.
July-December 2010
• School media launch to promote the need to be idle-free.
• Develop campaign kits and arrange meetings with selected eco-friendly school
principals, parent associations and board to initiate 12 pilots in the new year
• Recruitment of volunteers, team meetings to train parent/teacher/student
volunteers on kits for their school and as train the trainers' for future schools
• Develop online training video and HOW TO MANUAL through DADA main office
for kits to provide examples of school best practices for an effective program
October-December 2010
• Identify 4 schools from the 12 interested in a more comprehensive at home
pledge challenge and determine additional pledge cards needed for distribution
• Organize pre and post survey data collection process at these 4 schools.
• Outreach to selected school bus drivers in cooperation with bus companies
• Begin community outreach at various events with identified community partners
to promote kit and desktop display booth for local events and school promotions.
January -April 2011
• Initiate community print and broadcast media campaign, distribute media
releases, post photos through associated community newsletters, web links
including participating schools with IDLE FREE signs/banners and messages
• Deliver school idling campaigns, surveys and continue community outreach
• Record and distribute success stories and include in school kits for new schools
April- June 2011
• Analyze data findings on vehicle idling reduction, finalize reporting, best
practices
• Organize debriefing meeting with all interested parties to discuss results and
brainstorm what we can do in the community going forward as well as advice to
DADA on how to improve the program even more for other communities
Partnerships /Collaboration
Please provide a list of committee partners or collaborations, anticipated public
involvement and if applicable letters of permission from landowners or regulatory
permits:
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This program includes the collaborative work many partners including: DADA, My
Sustainable Canada, The Waterloo Regional District School Board, Environment
Canada, and individual schools in Kitchener. Additionally, students from the university of
Waterloo will help with the data collection and interns hired through the YMCA youth eco
internship program will help with the program launch.
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DECLARATION
In making this application, I/we, the undersigned, declare to the best of our knowledge
that the information contained in this application is accurate and complete. Further, that
should our proposal be accepted in part or in whole, the funds granted would be used for
the stated purposes and that I/we would comply with all terms and conditions as
outlined.
The applicant/project coordinator and if applicable a senior member of the organization
(e.g. executive director, president, owner or school principal) must complete the
following.
- August 27t", 2010
Name (please print) Position Signature Date
Name (please print) Position Signature Date
(If submitting via email, please certify in the email body that you agree that you have the
authority to make application on behalf of your organization to the Community
Environmental Improvement Grant (CE/G) of the City of Kitchener)
Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act
Personal information provided by the applicant on the application form, or as
support material with the application is being collected in order to process grand
applications and to administer the program, and as such may be made available to
City staff and members of the environmental committee.
Application forms, supporting documentation and evaluation forms will be
retained in accordance with the City's Records Retention Schedule. The names of
all applicants may be made public.
Personal information collected on this form or as support material may become
part of a public document.
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Community Environmental Improvement Grant
2010 Application Form
Name of Program /Project: Waterloo Wellington Children's Groundwater Festival
Total Program /Project Costs: $ 95,000
Total Requested from City of Kitchener: $ 3,000
Applicant Information
Project Coordinator
Telephone: Work
Email Address:
Home Fax
Name of Group /Organization: Waterloo Wellington Children's Groundwater Festival
Group /Organization Type: Non-Profit X
Mailing Address:
Telephone Number:
Email Address:
Website: www.wwcgf.com
Community Group Other
1) Group /Organization's Mission and Mandate
Please provide a brief overview of your mission and mandate.
The Waterloo Wellington Children's Groundwater Festival (WWCGF) mission is
to foster a sense of stewardship and empowerment within the children of
Waterloo Region, Wellington County and the City of Guelph through the process
of learning about and understanding the value of our water and groundwater
resources.
The Festival offers a unique water based program that is designed for children
that is hands-on and interactive.
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2) Group /Organizational History and Successes
Please describe when you were formed, any affiliations you have and major
accomplishments to date.
The WWCGF was formed in 1996. The first Children's Groundwater Festival was held in
Milton in 1994, and moved to the Kitchener location in May, 1996. Over 50,000 students
have been educated about the importance of water in their daily lives over the past 15
years of the Festival. Over 7,500 volunteers have contributed to the event.
The Festival promotes messages that teach about conserving water used daily,
protecting our water resources, understanding the water cycle, discovering the interface
between water and technology in their lives, and fostering respect toward water and the
environment.
PROPOSALINFORMATION
Project or Program Summary
Please describe briefly (200 word maximum) the program or project, what is the
rationale for the project or program, when will it start and finish:
The WWCGF is a community based environmental event. On Monday May 30th through
Friday June 3rd, 2011 the Festival will be held at the Waterloo Region Museum,
Kitchener. Through the use of numerous water related activity centres, children in grade
2 through 5 explore their relationship with water in the outdoors. The Festival is designed
to meet the expectations of the Ontario curriculum, which provides teachers with an
experience beyond the classroom.
The Festival brings together expertise of educators, groundwater specialists and
members of industry and government to provide students with opportunities to discover
the importance of water. The project will increase awareness of our water resources to
participants. The Festival fosters a sense of environmental stewardship through hands-
on learning. It provides students with an opportunity to learn about current water issues.
Importance of the Program or Project
Please explain briefly (200 word maximum) the benefits and/or importance to the
community of the program or project:
In Ontario, we enjoy what appears to be an abundance of water. In
Waterloo; 25% of our water supply is obtained from surface water
groundwater. Through hands-on activity centres, students realize the
where their drinking water comes from. Through a combination o
interactive exhibits students have the opportunity to learn about;
• the physical science of groundwater
• groundwater as a resource
• the water cycle
the interdependence of people, plants, animal, soil, air and water
the Region of
and 75% from
importance of
f displays and
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the interaction between people and water and what effects it has on the
environment
• the role of water in our daily lives
Through the week long event we are able to provide learning opportunities for over
4,000 students in grade 2 through 5. As well, over 500 volunteers contribute to the
project. We recruit, train and supervise high school students from 8 area high schools.
These volunteers learn about water, gain new skills and confidence while in a leadership
role.
Goals /Objectives of the Program or Project
Please list the short and long-term goals, the environmental benefits, and how the
program or project addresses environmental issues and/or problems in Kitchener:
The WWCGF promotes awareness that water is the basis for all life. One of the main
goals of the Festival is for students to develop a respect for water and the environment.
The Festival is proud when children who participate at the event become catalyst for
change. Students take a new found respect back to their homes, schools and
communities.
Short term goals of the Festival are to engage students by providing them with a learning
opportunity beyond the classroom. Through on-going planning and developing key
messages, students are learning about current and historical aspect of water. Students
learn about the source of their drinking water, negative and positive impacts on their
water source, water consumption and water conservation methods.
Long term goals are to have an impact on future generations. By providing students with
information about the source of their water, ways to conserve and protect water, we
believe we are having a positive impact on the future stewards of the environment.
Budget
Please provide a budget showing anticipated costs; what is the total budget, how much
is requested from the City, what are the other contributions (shared funding, volunteer
labor, donated materials, fundraising):
2011 Proposed Budget
Projected Revenue
Item Amount
City of Guelph 5,000.00
Region of Waterloo 30,000.00
Sponsorship 25,000.00
TD FEF 10,000.00
Subtotal 70, 000.00
In-Kind
Municipal partners 5,700.00
TOTAL Revenue: 75,700.00
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Projected Expenses
Item Amount
Accountant 1,200.00
Ambulance 1,000.00
Banking /Misc. 150.00
Bussing 10,000.00
Membership 300.00
Mileage 800.00
Meeting 200.00
Printing 1,000.00
Programming 9,000.00
Promotions 1,000.00
Site Cost 10,000.00
Salary 32,000.00
Security 1,000.00
Teacher Orientation Session 200.00
Volunteers 7,500.00
TOTAL 73,350.00
Request to the City of Kitchener; $3,000
Programming budget: Activity centre -Watershed model $1000
Aboriginal presenter $1500
Activity centre supplies $ 500
Work Schedule
Please provide the timeline, tasks or steps involved in planning and implementing the
program and/or project:
September 2010
• Steering committee -review of 2010 Festival
• Set-up sub committees, recruit any new members
October 2010
• Fund Raising -develop sponsors list of potential supporters
• Volunteers -connect with high school teachers to recruit
• Programming -review 2010 Activity centres
November 2010
• Fund Raising -develop newsletter and sponsor packages
• Volunteers- schedule high schools into dates
• Programming -review teacher information packages
- review outline of training manuals
December 2010
Fund Raising -follow-up with potential sponsor
Volunteers -review application and waiver forms
• Programming -develop new concepts or 2011
January 2011
• Fund Raising -review budget and financial support needs
• Volunteers -contact Volunteer Action Centre for recruitment
- print application form
• Programming -contact School Boards to promote program
- develop activity centre outline
- set-up booking form
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February 2011
• Fund Raising -review application and grant potentials
• Volunteers -contact technical volunteers to recruit
• Programming -review site logistics
- review training manuals
- contact all guest speakers to confirm
- book 4,000 students for the program
March 2011
• Fund Raising -contact potential supporters
• Volunteers -organize recognition items
• Programming -book all site logistic requirements
- purchase all activity centres and organize supply needs
- print training manuals
April 2011
• Fund Raising -update sponsor signs
• Volunteers - in-class presentation to high school students
- outline master volunteer schedule
• Programming -develop site map
- organize bussing for all students
- review all activity centre requirements
- organize all invoicing and teacher evaluations
May 2011
• Fund Raising -invite all sponsors to VIP event
- confirm all sponsor of sponsor board
• Volunteers -confirm Master schedule
- confirm all volunteers
- confirm all recognition components
- print all volunteer certificates
- host all in-class presentations for high school students
- organize morning sign in (labels, training manuals, etc)
• Programming -confirm all presenters
- site logistics meeting with all site staff
- set-up all 50 activity centres
- confirm all busing
- Master list of schools to bus committee
- confirm set-up staff/ volunteers
Host the event, Monday May 30t" to Friday June 3rd, 2011.
Partnerships /Collaboration
Please provide a list of committee partners or collaborations, anticipated public
involvement and if applicable letters of permission from landowners or regulatory
permits:
Through our on-going community approach, the Festival has developed many
partnerships. The local School Boards provide participants, the elementary school
students, and high school volunteers. Municipal, regional and provincial governments
contribute staff and financial support. The local Conservation Authority support the
program, through development of key messages as well as, providing staff to host at
water shed and water protection centres. The University of Waterloo encourages
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students to attend as volunteers and provide staff to contribute to the planning process
of the event.
Peter Gray, MTE Consultants
Peter Russell, University of Waterloo
Dave Neufeld, Waterloo Region Museum
Deborah Young, Waterloo Region Museum
Deanna Dakin, Region of Waterloo: Waste
James Etienne, GRCA
Mark Goldberg, MTE Consultants
Tracey Ryan, GRCA
Dan Meagher, Region of Waterloo; Water
Wendy Connell, Waterloo Region Museum
Mary-Anne Cain, GRCA
Jennifer Gilks, City of Guelph
Stephen May, Waterloo Stewardship
Peggy Stevens, City of Waterloo
DECLARATION
In making this application, I/we, the undersigned, declare to the best of our knowledge
that the information contained in this application is accurate and complete. Further, that
should our proposal be accepted in part or in whole, the funds granted would be used for
the stated purposes and that I/we would comply with all terms and conditions as
outlined.
The applicant/project coordinator and if applicable a senior member of the organization
(e.g. executive director, president, owner or school principal) must complete the
following.
Name (please print) Position Signature Date
Name (please print) Position Signature Date
(If submitting via email, please certify in the email body that you agree that you have the
authority to make application on behalf of your organization to the Community
Environmental Improvement Grant (CE/G) of the City of Kitchener)
Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act
Personal information provided by the applicant on the application form, or as
support material with the application is being collected in order to process grand
applications and to administer the program, and as such may be made available to
City staff and members of the environmental committee.
Application forms, supporting documentation and evaluation forms will be
retained in accordance with the City's Records Retention Schedule. The names of
all applicants may be made public.
Personal information collected on this form or as support material may become
part of a public document.
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