Funding in Quebec hits a million dollars!
A young participant enjoys the Ecomuseum’s after-hours program, "Frog Call Night." The program is led by zoologists and includes an engaging trip to the marsh.
From community gardens to wildlife rehabilitation, TD FEF has supported a broad range of environmental and wildlife organizations across the province of Quebec.
"Thanks to the generosity of our clients and employees in Quebec, we have funded 300 environmental local projects with $1 million," says Amelie Picher, Quebec Regional Manager of TD FEF. “It’s an amazing achievement for the Foundation and we are proud to provide our help to protect and enhance the environment in la belle province!”Education through interaction at the Ecomuseum zoo
One of the many organizations that have benefitted from TD FEF’s support in Quebec is the Ecomuseum zoo. TD FEF has provided $15,000 in funding to the organization to help rebuild enclosures for their education program.
With over 115 species, the Ecomuseum zoo is home to the largest collection of animals native to Quebec. The zoo’s wide array of programs has the specific objective of educating people by directly involving them. Through the various educational activities, visitors and participants have the opportunity to learn about the different species from a zoologist and, in some cases, touch the animals and observe their behaviour.
TD FEF helps to see birds up close
The Ecomuseum zoo has been working for the past two years to raise money for the Avian Fauna: Education Taking Flight project that is currently under way. TD FEF funding will help build a multi-enclosure building to house birds of prey for educational programs. The Ecomuseum’s zoologists take these birds of prey to schools and community groups where children have the opportunity to learn about the animals’ habitats as well as habitat conservation. TD FEF’s contribution was key in enabling the construction of the building in order for the Ecomuseum zoo to acquire more birds.
TD FEF has also contributed to the reconstruction of the waterfowl and heron aviary, where visitors have the opportunity to enter the aviary and get up close and personal with the birds. The new aviary will be a modern enclosure with a spacious layout that offers visitors better viewing points than before and a more enjoyable experience.
Funding infrastructure makes a difference
“What TD Friends of the Environment Foundation recognizes, more than other funders, is that all of this exists because we have infrastructure in place to house the animals. In order to have animals present, encourage visitors, and for all of the programs to function at the zoo, it requires infrastructure to be in place,” says David Rodrigue, Executive Director at the Ecomuseum zoo. “Most funders want to contribute to the programs, but not to the infrastructure. The Foundation recognizes the importance of contributing to the infrastructure.”
We are thrilled to have achieved this significant milestone in Quebec and look forward to toasting the two-million dollar mark of funds invested in grassroots environmental programs in the future.
