ClearWater Farm is developing and hosting hundreds of young people and their families to engage in land-based learning and to connect with nature, thanks to funding from two Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) grants totalling $235,800 in 2022.
York-Simcoe MPP Caroline Mulroney visited the Ontario Water Centre’s flagship project on the shores of Lake Simcoe in Georgina to hear how the grants have impacted programs and facilities.
The centre received an $85,800 Resilient Communities Fund grant in March 2022, and in November, it received a $150,000 capital grant to expand its landscaped, lighted and gravelled parking lot to make its waterfront recreational site more accessible for community events and activities, according to a news release.
“I am proud that our government continues to invest in local non-profit organizations in York-Simcoe,” said Mulroney. “The OTF’s Resilient Communities Fund and the capital grants will support the Ontario Water Centre, which provides youth with educational programing on sustainable farming and water protection.”
The grant was used to help with staffing costs, as well as the development and implementation of long-term plans to help the centre recover from the impacts of the pandemic and develop strategies for building capacity, resilience, sustainability, and meeting the changing needs of the community.
Funds were also used to help with some administrative costs, as well as with capital costs for upgrading onsite residential facilities to accommodate new agripreneurs.
"We are so appreciative of the continued support from the Ontario Trillium Foundation,” said Jennifer Gidge, communications co-ordinator of the Ontario Water Centre.
The Ontario Water Centre provides nature-based educational programming for children while preserving the land and growing healthy food for the community. Its new timber-frame barn will allow programming to be run all year round and provide a beautiful venue for events. If you wish to learn more about the programming or to host your event on the lakeside property, visit ontariowatercentre.ca or clearwaterfarm.ca.
The Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF), an agency of the government of Ontario, and one of Canada’s leading granting foundations, celebrates 40 years of grant-making in Ontario and making a lasting impact in communities. Last year, OTF invested over $110 million into 1,022 community projects and partnerships.
