News Release

MIRAMICHI (GNB) – The provincial government is providing $418,000 under the Environmental Trust Fund for thirteen projects in the Miramichi region in 2018-19.

“The Environmental Trust Fund is a long-standing funding program that strategically invests in smaller, grassroots projects that have a big impact,” said Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Bill Fraser. “Every year, our region benefits from these innovative and effective projects. The investments create local jobs and go a long way to protecting our environment.”

Fraser spoke on behalf of Environment and Local Government Minister Andrew Harvey.

The announcement was made today at Beaubears Island, which is receiving $9,000 for their environmental engagement initiative.

“Programs like this allow our organization an opportunity to really expand our horizons,” said Shawn McCarthy, executive director of Friends of Beaubears Island. “People are becoming more aware of the island’s historical significance, but, thanks to the Environmental Trust Fund, we can share the Island’s unique ecosystem with our guests as well.”

Other projects announced today in the region include funding for watershed groups to carry-out restoration projects and continue their scientific assessments and data collection, funding for the Metepenagiag Heritage Park to improve mutual understanding between Indigenous leaders and western scientists regarding resource management, and funding for the Regional Service Commission to raise awareness of the waste disposal and recycling programs available.

The 2018-19 Environmental Trust Fund priority action areas are:

• protecting the environment;
• increasing environmental awareness;
• managing waste;
• addressing climate change; and
• building sustainable communities.

The Environmental Trust Fund is investing about $8.4 million in environmental projects in New Brunswick in 2018-19. This includes 227 community-based environmental initiatives worth over $6.6 million as well as almost $1.8 million in projects that will have benefits provincewide.

More information, including the list of approved projects and initiatives, is available on the Department of Environment and Local Government’s website.