ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT

Date: July 15, 1999

Author/Local:D. Losito/714-5677

RTS No. 00889
CC File No. 2251

P&E: July 29, 1999

TO: Standing Committee on Planning & Environment

FROM: Special Office for the Environment, in consultation with the

General Managers of Engineering, Community and Corporate Services, and the Medical Health Officer

SUBJECT: Environmental Grant

RECOMMENDATION

THAT Council approve a grant of $20,000 to the Northwest Wildlife Preservation Society (NWPS) for their "Urban Wildlife Stewardship Program" (UWSP); source of funds to be the Environmental Grants Fund in the Solid Waste Capital Reserve.

GENERAL MANAGERS' COMMENTS

The General Managers of Community Services, Corporate Services and Engineering Services RECOMMEND approval of the foregoing.

COUNCIL POLICY

On March 27, 1990, Council approved allocation of $250,000 to fund the Environmental Grant Program

On July 10, 1990, Council approved the Environmental Grant Guidelines and Criteria.

On May 10, 1996, Council approved a further allocation of $250,000 for the continuation
of the Environmental Grant Program. They also approved amendments to the Guidelines and Criteria, requiring a detailed budget, financial statement and brief summary report upon completion of the project.

Approval of grants requires eight affirmative votes.

BACKGROUND

To date, a total of 47 requests for grants have been received with 33 funding awards to organizations totalling $392,540.000

CURRENT GRANT REQUESTS

This is the twelfth Environmental Grant Report and it contains one grant request. Staff note that two additional grant requests are currently being processed, one from the Environmental Youth Alliance for an Urban Trails - Jungles for the Millennium project and one from the B.C. Environmental Network. These will be reviewed by the Staff Review Committee and forwarded to Council with recommendations in September.

Project:

Northwest Wildlife Preservation Society $22, 744.08

The Staff Review Committee, comprised of representatives of the Special Office for the Environment and Corporate Services, has reviewed the submission relative to the criteria approved by Council, and makes the following recommendation:

1. Northwest Wildlife Preservation Society Requested: $22,744.08

Urban Wildlife Stewardship Program Recommended $20,000.00

The Northwest Wildlife Preservation Society (NWPS) was incorporated as a non-profit society in 1987. Their mission is to develop and provide educational, research and advisory services, which advance the public's awareness and knowledge about wildlife systems in Northwest North America. The vision is to ensure that healthy wildlife systems throughout Northwest North America are preserved for their own intrinsic worth and for the appreciation of all.

The primary focus for NWPS has been the development and delivery of wildlife educational programs, which they currently offer to adults and children in schools and community groups around B.C. At present there are thirteen separate and unique presentations on a diversity of species and issues, which utilize a combination of slides, discussion, printed materials, props and interactive activities.

The Project:

Over the past years NWPS staff have identified the need for a comprehensive expanded version of their existing wildlife education programs in the schools. They noted the absence of adequate information and the lack of activities that involve people in urban wildlife issues and conservation strategies. The public awareness of wilderness systems is far greater than their knowledge of urban ecosystems, the human influence on that system and the threat of urban sprawl.

The Urban Wildlife Stewardship Project (USWP) involves expanding the present school presentations to include a broader spectrum of ages and cultures within the urban community. The USWP will provide a more detailed and comprehensive community education model with specific information on urban species, urban habitats, related issues, and proven methods of conservation. It also provides for the creation of a series of presentations, workshops, walks, and materials designed to provide a better understanding of the urban ecosystem. In addition, hands-on activities such as the building of birdhouses, bat houses, development of green spaces, and wildlife proofing your home will be an essential component of attracting participation from urban residents.

The specific objectives of the UWSP are to deliver a minimum of 20 presentations, 10 workshops, and 10 walks within the City of Vancouver.

The presentations will consist of interchangeable sections based on ten separate urban wildlife issues. There will be four separate workshops to choose from including creating green spaces; solving conflicts with wildlife; urban wildlife species identification; and stewardship practises for urban environments. The walks will be led by experienced naturalists and biologists. NWPS will also produce an accompanying booklet for each workshop. Depending on funding, a Cantonese and Punjabi version may be made available. In addition, negotiations are currently underway to secure a regular spot on Vancouver Television's (VTV) morning show, which would provide tips and hints on Urban Wildlife issues.

CONCLUSION

The Staff Review Committee notes that the proposal meets the criteria for Environmental Grants, provided the applicant is required to utilize the funding for the development of the presentations, rather than the ongoing delivery of the program. Staff would encourage the use of some of the funds to develop the multi-lingual versions of the booklet. The applicant has advised that they have recently secured the funding from the Vancouver Foundation in the amount of $20,000 and are awaiting confirmation on one additional pending grant request. The total budget for the project is $96,264.40 and the term of the grant would be from September 1, 1999 to August 31, 2000. The Staff Review Committee therefore recommends approval of an Environmental Grant in the amount of $20,000 to the NWPS.

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(c) 1998 City of Vancouver