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REAL is no longer offering REAL Action Grants, but would like you to know about the many projects we have funded in past years.

REAL offered REAL Action Grants to deserving community groups to take on a local, hands-on environmental project of their own that would benefit the local environment.   REAL first offered $250 grants in 2014 in honour of its 25th anniversary year.  Three grants were awarded in 2017 and 2018 thanks to a donation from the Pilkington Henniger Charitable Trust Foundation, and two grants were awarded in 2019.  

 

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Types of Projects Accepted

Suggestion of  projects  to benefit the local environment included:

  •  Reduce energy use, water use or solid waste
  • Install a bike rack
  • Plant trees in a community space
  • Develop a community garden
  • Build a rainwater garden
  • Improve a vacant lot
  • Install garbage or recycling receptacles
  • Purchase resource materials:  films, books, magazines for a library
  • Put on a workshop
  • Show an environmental film.

Past Winners

2019 Winners

IMG_0883Community Living Lanark County.  The group will be expanding their  “Garden of Peace” at their day program site.  They currently have two raised beds and want to build more to meet the need of their clientele’s interest in gardening. 

Friends of Lanark County.  This three year old organization will be using the funds to encourage people to use native plants in their gardens.  They will be starting with a native plant sale and a flier describing the benefits of native plants.

2018 Winners

Montague Public School Eco Club.  This group, led by Kathleen Lang, will use the money to build a raised garden bed for the seeds they have planted.  They are learning about how food is grown from seed to harvest.

Smiths Falls – Dene community Student Exchange.  The grant will subsidize one SFDCI student to participate in this exchange with a fly-in Dene community in Northern Alberta to examine change, conservation, and active citizenship through environmental education and experiential learning.

Outdoor Education and Climate Change Summit.  One SFDCI student will be subsidized to attend this overnight field trip, led by teacher Meaghan MacPherson.   The project addresses climate change and gives students an appreciation for their natural environment.

thank you2017 Winners

Food for Thought Program, SFDCI  for a hinged-lid composter and other garden supplies.
Youth Connections Program, RNJ Youth Services   for a greenhouse on site of Bethel Christian Reformed Church and garden supplies.
Grade 10 Applied Science Class, SFDCI for support of their Outdoor Education and Mock Climate Change Summit field trip.

2015 Winners

The Drummond Central School Parent Council for rain barrels and tools for their Pumpkin Patch Project.  
SFDCI Food Program and Special Needs Class for raised garlic beds in their community  garden.
The Lanark Highlands Youth Centre for a freezer to preserve produce grown in their community garden. 
YAK Youth Services,  for tshirts and a moving dolly to support their Green Volunteer Program.

The SFDCI Environmental Club for a water bottle filling station.
Community Support Services Perth for an in-house recycling program .
SADV Women’s Monument Committee for a tree  planted  in Perth to honour women who have been victims of violence.
Carleton Place High School Enviro Project towards their winter field camp where  students will study climate change. 

 

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