Mayor Sharon Hartwell of the Village of Telkwa, representing theFederation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM), and Mr. Richard Harris,Member of Parliament for Cariboo−Prince George, today announced a$260,752 Green Municipal Fund grant to the University of NorthernBritish Columbia (UNBC). The grant will help UNBC, the City of PrinceGeorge, and a coalition of community partners test ecologicallysustainable landscape options in the community. Information derivedfrom the research will be used to demonstrate sustainable landscapingpractices for northern ecosystems and to quantify the beneficialimpacts on water, soil and air quality. Ultimately, the informationfrom the field test will guide the development of the City’s long termmaster plan for sustainable landscaping.

“FCM’s Green Municipal Fund offers a range of resources and servicesthat specifically address the sustainable community development needsof municipal governments and their partners,” said Mayor SharonHartwell, representing FCM. “The financing and knowledge provided bythe Fund supports the development of communities that are moreenvironmentally, socially and economically sustainable.”

“This investment in sustainable communities is another example of theGovernment of Canada’s commitment to deliver real results for allCanadians and help make this country a world-leader on theenvironment,” said Mr. Harris. “Through the Green Municipal Fund, ourgovernment is assisting municipalities across the country and theirpartners deliver results for a cleaner, healthier environment.”

“Thousands of trees have been cut down in Prince George in response tothe Mountain Pine Beetle epidemic so this research is timely andneeded,” said Dr. Don Cozzetto, President of UNBC. “In our region, asustainable environment is integral to having sustainable communitiesand these kinds of research projects support our vision of beingCanada’s Green University.”

The final report from the field test will identify specific northernpractices that will lead to possible reductions in herbicide,pesticide, fungicide, water use, and air pollution through appropriatelandscaping choices for northern climates. It will also includeanalysis of financial implications while identifying economicdevelopment and public health benefits.
 
“We expect that this study will benefit most Canadian municipalitiesfaced with short growing seasons, limited maintenance resources, roadsalt deposits, and pressure to eliminate pesticides.” said City ofPrince George Mayor, Colin Kinsley. “This is another example of howPrince George is leading the nation, in partnership with ouruniversity.”
 
The Government of Canada has endowed the Federation of CanadianMunicipalities with $550 million to establish and manage the GreenMunicipal Fund. The Fund supports partnerships and leveraging of bothpublic and private sector funding to reach higher standards of air,water and soil quality, and climate protection.

Contact:
Annie Booth, Ecosystem Science and Management professor, UNBC - 250.960.6649
Lucille Hodgins, Community Liaison Manager, FCM - 613.907.6299
Rob van Adrichem, Director of Media and Public Relations, UNBC - 250.960.5622 

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Fromleft: Professor Annie Booth, MP Dick Harris, UNBC Acting Vice-Provostfor Research Ron Thring, Telkwa Mayor Sharon Hartwell, and PrinceGeorge Mayor Colin Kinsley.