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Northeast communities work to reduce environmental footprints

May 31, 2018 | 2:00 PM

Three northeast communities have begun working with an environmental consulting agency on plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.  

Tisdale, Carrot River, and Zenon Park are among several across Saskatchewan to partner with Eco-West, a company that works with communities to promote environmentally-friendly projects and help them access grants and other funding. Eco-West is also working with communities in Manitoba, Alberta, and British Columbia.

The Town of Tisdale is putting $10,000 toward the partnership, aiming to find new funding for projects to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. CAO Brad Hvidston said consultants with Eco-West will meet with local council June 19. Hvidston said the town is also planning a survey of residents to get more ideas for new projects before moving forward and noted the town sees the importance of being more environmentally friendly.

“From a financial perspective, if they can find us grants to make our town more efficient, that’s important,” Hvidston added.

In Carrot River, Town Administrator Kevin Trew said they will complete an inventory of their community to determine where greenhouse gas emissions can be lowered before sending out a survey to residents. The survey will ask residents their thoughts on how the community can be more environmentally friendly. Trew said the town is putting $5,000 toward the partnership with Eco-West.

“We definitely see different projects on the horizon for the Town of Carrot River which would definitely have an environmental and eco slant to them, and we’ll be looking for funds,” Trew told northeastNOW. “There’s always the environmental aspect and what is right for the green of our planet, and so the Town of Carrot River Council has definitely had an eye on what is the correct thing to do, environmentally.”

In Zenon Park, the community’s administrator said work has begun to determine where energy usage can be improved. Lisa LeBlanc said the village’s council is interested in finding funds for some much-needed projects, including a Level 1 and 2 care home. LeBlanc said a public meeting will be held in the coming months and more information will be going out to residents about the partnership with Eco-West.

“They have told us that they’ll be able to give us ideas and ways to better, to improve, our environmental footprint,” LeBlanc said.

 

Charlene.tebbutt@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @CharleneTebbutt