From avian threats to zero-waste living: Grants available for community environmental projects

Grant recipient Water Rangers teaches youth at Blue Fish Canada’s Fish Camp about community-based water quality monitoring using Water Rangers’ water quality testing kits. / Photo: Blue Fish Canada Feature story The City of Ottawa is now accepting applications for the 2025 Community Environmental Projects Grant Program. This grant program provides funding to non-profit organizations interested in undertaking small-scale, community-based initiatives that support an environmentally sustainable Ottawa. Past grant recipients cover a wide range of projects, including:

• Community workshops
  • The Glebe Community Association hosted a series of coffee houses to share information on sustainability topics such as energy, transportation, water and zero-waste living
  • Just Food Ottawa and Hidden Harvest hosted events to share information on reducing food waste and increasing local food consumption
• Education campaigns
  • The Ottawa Valley Wild Bird Care Centre created a series of postcards highlighting the major threats to wild bird populations
  • GentleWays for OurPlanet reached out to local restaurants to encourage them to offer more sustainable food choices and plant-based options
• Environmental rehabilitation
  • Alta Vista Community Association led efforts to remove dog-strangling vine, an invasive species, and control its spread
  • Biodiversity Conservancy International led efforts to restore natural sand dune habitat and create a sanctuary for butterflies and pollinators within Pinhey Sand Dunes
• Greening initiatives
  • Ottawa South Eco-Action Network encouraged Ottawa South residents to improve biodiversity and habitat for pollinators and wildlife through planting native species
• School and community group projects
  • Jockvale Elementary School, the University of Ottawa and the Kanata Muslim Association are a few of the groups who planted gardens to support native pollinators

This year’s application deadline is Monday, March 31 at 4 pm.  Grant recipients must complete their projects by June 30, 2026. For details about eligibility, the application process, profiles of past projects and to complete an application form, please visit Community Environmental Projects Grant Program on the City website. After reviewing our website information, if you’re still wondering whether your project might qualify or have other questions, email Tara Redpath, Coordinator for the Community Environmental Projects Grant Program, at mailto:cepgp@ottawa.ca or call 613-580-2424 x 16822. For more information on City programs and services, visit ottawa.ca, call 3-1-1 (TTY: 613-580-2401) or 613-580-2400 to contact the City using Canada Video Relay Service. You can also connect with us through Facebook, X (Twitter) and Instagram. Related topics

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