This week, Environment and Climate Minister Kevin Klein announced $75, 800 in funding to coincide with Earth Day, April 22, 2023. According to a press release, three recipients shared the funding: Manitoba Ozone Protection Industry Association Inc received $43,300 for delivery of new natural refrigerant training to new and experienced technicians, Manitoba Eco-Network received $25, 000 for the next phase of the Building Community Climate Resiliency Project with inner city neighbourhoods in Winnipeg and the Boyne Regional Library was the final recipient.
Library Clerk Stacy O’Connor shared the good news.
“We were very excited to find out that we were the recipient of the Climate and Conservation Fund grant, which will help us provide 14 nature discovery backpacks to our community as well as giving a kick start to our seed library. So, the total amount that we received is $7550.”
She went on to explain why they applied for the funds.
“The intention behind us applying for this is to be able to provide backpacks to our community that help them get out in nature and gives them the access to tools and resources that engage with our natural habitats, our forests, and our grasslands. We have the Carman Community Pathway, with a tall grass prairie in the middle. So, some of the backpacks will be geared towards strengthening people’s identification skills and that helps foster a greater knowledge of our environment.”
She described the variety of backpacks soon to be available to community members to access free of charge.
“We have hiking backpacks for adults and for children, and those backpacks will allow people to go on day hikes or even short overnight trips. We also have birding backpacks and a bat pack which will have a Bat Echometer which allows people to listen for bats in the area. A geology and fossils backpack, wild crafting, we have winter activity backpacks, and fishing backpacks as well.”
Part of the funding will go towards the Seed Library for people who want to start gardening or are experienced gardeners, to give them access to seeds and connect with nature.
“Community members can come and borrow up to three packets of seeds. We have flowers, we have vegetables, we have herbs, and we're awaiting our native seeds as well.”
O’Connor shared why the Boyne Library made this part of their work, noting equitable access to getting out in nature and to plant their own garden is very important.
“Libraries are many things. Typically, we think of libraries as a place for people to borrow books, but it's also a community hub. So, we want our community to be able to have access to resources other than just books, and this will give them those tools.”
The items for the backpacks will be ordered and available in the coming weeks. Contact the Boyne Regional Library for more information on accessing the Seed Library and backpacks.
