Region of Waterloo invests $90,000 through the Community Environmental Fund to support 16 community-led environmental projects

Waterloo Region – The Region of Waterloo’s Community Environmental Fund is investing $90,000 in 16 community-led environmental projects that will support healthy natural spaces, environmental education, and sustainability initiatives benefiting residents and communities across the region.

This funding program helps local organizations deliver projects that make lasting improvements to the environment, while creating opportunities for residents to get involved, learn new skills and strengthen connections in their neighbourhoods.

Since the fund was established by Regional Council in 2011, nearly $2 million has been awarded to more than 250 projects that have contributed to healthier environment and stronger communities across Waterloo Region.

“The Community Environmental Fund directly supports the Climate Aligned Growth priority in our Strategic Plan, which aims to steward our natural environment and shared resources as our community grows,” said Karen Redman, Region of Waterloo Chair. “These projects not only protect and enhance our environment - they also create opportunities for residents to learn, volunteer and participate in meaningful ways. Congratulations to our 2025 grant recipients.”

The successful 2025 grant recipients have projects located across rural communities and urban neighbourhoods, including:

City of Waterloo | Pollinator Working Group Wildflower Meadow Project – includes an established small wildflower plot at Bechtel Park, seeking funds to offset the costs of contractor services, equipment costs, native wildflower plugs and seeds, printing costs, refreshments and gloves for 10 planned community workdays | Amount - $5,500

RARE Charitable Research Reserve Restoration | Update of Flow Control in Bauman Creek Project seeks funds to install an improved and more durable stone cross-vane structure on Bauman Creek to regulate flow and budget water appropriately between stream and wetland features | Amount - $8,000

GreenHouse, part of United College at the University of Waterloo | Green City Building Labs Project seeks funds to offset the costs associated with venue rental, food expenses, and print material associated with their 2025-26 youth lab events that aim to advance climate solutions and green economy projects | Amount - $9,500

KW Habilitation | Our Farm Pollinator Strip Installation and Trail Maintenance Project seeks funds to install pollinator strips and maintain their 1.2 km trail at their 10.2-acre parcel of farmland in Waterloo | Amount - $3,300

Waterloo Wellington Science and Engineering Fair | This annual fair for students in grades 7 to 12 seeks funds for signage, printing, and materials for the event as well as audio visual and venue rental costs. The 2026 Fair theme is "Affordable and Clean Energy”, and students will be expected to develop projects and displays covering various topics | Amount - $1,500

Hospice Waterloo Region | Pollinator Garden Project seeks funds to purchase native pollinator plants, temporary fencing, and interpretive signage for a new Pollinator Garden situated near the main entrance of the 11-bed hospice residence and palliative care centre in the Eastbridge community in Waterloo | Amount - $7,000

University of Waterloo School of Pharmacy | Biodiversity Project seeks funds for gloves, shovels, shrubs, herbaceous plants, mulch, garbage bags, and signs to add more biodiversity and pollinator friendly plants to the landscaping around the School of Pharmacy building | Amount - $2,700

All Our Relations Charity | Environmental Plantings, Beekeeping, and Promotion Project seeks funds for pollinator plants, soil, bees, hives, and consulting costs related to plants, beekeeping, and website development to build on the biodiversity and micro-forest work on this plot of land on the outskirts of Bloomingdale | Amount - $4,000

Freshwater Conservation Canada | Ellis Creek Restoration Project seeks funds for tree planting, in-stream restoration work, invasive species management, garbage clean-ups, and bio-blitzes while engaging the community and volunteers (including the Friends of Chiligo) | Amount - $8,000

Reep Green Solutions | Township Backyard Tree Planting Program seeks funds to expand this program into the Townships using the Township of Woolwich as a pilot expansion for one year. This program has been operating since 2019 and has shown success at increasing tree canopy on private property and educating Regional residents on the benefits associated with tree planting and care, particularly as it relates to climate adaptation efforts | Amount - $9,500

Wilfrid Laurier University | Northdale Community Garden Expansion Project seeks funds for the materials necessary to build raised garden beds, improve pathways and seating, and install educational signage at the Northdale Community Garden. Laurier’s Sustainability Office is planning a significant public engagement and community outreach campaign to introduce the project and showcase the expansion’s broader impact | Amount - $6,000

Township of Wilmot | Arboretum Rehabilitation Project seeks funds to create and implement a successful succession plan for the 6-acre property tree inventory which also includes a substantial educational component. Funds are requested to assist with soil testing, tree inventory assessment, tree purchases, and planting efforts | Amount – $9,000

Waterloo Region Nature | Pollinator Roadsides 2025 Project seeks funds for the materials necessary to plant native plants on Regional roadsides to create pollinator habitat, increase diversification and restore pollinator pathways, instead of planting and maintaining turfgrass along roadways | Amount - $4,000

Township of Woolwich Environmental Enhancement Committee (TWEEC) | Fighting Phrag Project – In partnership with many stakeholders in Woolwich Township, this project aims to keep the new Elmira Nature Reserve free of the invasive species phragmites and as such is seeking funding to hire a licensed contractor to treat roadsides and other areas surrounding the reserve using a variety of herbicides | Amount - $4,000

Waterloo Wellington Children’s Groundwater Festival (WWCGF) – In partnership with more than 20 organizations, the WWCGF engages more than 5,000 elementary and 200 High School students and 600 volunteers per year about water conservation, sustainability, and other water resource issues. The festival is seeking funds to support the overall cost of operating the festival | Amount - $5,000

Branchton Land Trust | Old Growth Forestry Management Project seeks funds for forest management activities including retaining a forestry contractor to lay down leaning and other hazardous trees as well as materials to remove invasive species such as Garlic Mustard and European Buckthorn in the Old Growth Carolinian Forest | Amount - $3,000

Learn more about the Community Environmental Fund and Environmental Sustainability.

-30-