Manitoba is pumping out $1 million to support projects that work to combat and adapt to climate change and protect the environment.
The cash will go on to organizations that slot in a number of of the categories of climate and green technology, water, and nature and resilient landscapes, said the province in a news release.
Applications shall be ranked on established criteria and projected outcomes to make sure a robust performance-based approach, the minister noted.
The assessment process is led by the Climate and Green Plan Implementation Office. The application intake is now live and can close on July 22.
Conservation and Climate Minister Sarah Guillemard says the fund supports Manitoba’s goal of becoming Canada’s cleanest, greenest, most climate-resilient province.
“This fund will generate latest project ideas for a cleaner environment, climate adaptation and low-carbon economic growth supporting emission reductions under our Carbon Savings Account in addition to green economic recovery,” said Guiellmard.
She also added that last 12 months’s $600,000 fund supported eight Manitoba organizations. Their projects addressed sustainable food production, community composting, clean energy, lively transportation, climate adaptation of wetlands and nutrient reduction within the Lake Winnipeg basin.
The announcement comes after a heat wave swept across the province last week and farmers cope with drought conditions.
Some timely rains in June alleviated early concerns a couple of drought-filled growing season, but just weeks later, those worries are back.
“We’re in desperate shape, and we’ll be in ‘next 12 months’ territory if this keeps up for much longer,” said agricultural correspondent Harry Siemens, adding that he has a growing collection of anecdotes identical to that one from farmers everywhere in the province.
“I drove as much as Clear Lake this week just to take a look at crops,” Siemens explains. “I wasn’t seeing very good things on the market.”
Siemens says just a few Westman towns are doing higher than others, but everyone needs help.
-with files from Skylar Peters
