| Montreal, 18/12/1996 – The Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC) today announced the community groups to be awarded grants by the North American Fund for Environmental Cooperation (NAFEC).
Fifteen projects were awarded grants in Canada, Mexico and the United States with funding ranging from CAN $10,000 to 100,000. Groups awarded the grants include the Assembly of First Nations in Canada, Friends of the Chicago River in the United States and the Organización de Ejidos Productores Forestales de la Zona Maya in Mexico.
The total fund, amounting to CAN $2 million, was created in October 1995 by the three North American environment ministers to support community-based projects across North America. The first round of grants from it was awarded in August.
Funds totaling approximately CAN $950,000 were awarded in this second round of grants. Nearly 200 groups submitted proposals on projects related to community participation in North American environmental protection and conservation.
The grant winners are decided by a committee composed of six members, two from each country. Committee members look for projects that would produce results that could be shared and replicated in the other two North American countries.
In awarding the grants, committee members noted that the funds will enable communities from Canada, Mexico and the United States to join the CEC in working collectively to conserve and protect the North American environment. Another CAN $2 million will be available for grants in 1997.
The CEC, which is equally funded by the three NAFTA partners, is based in Montreal, Canada.
Preparation of a Master Plan for Conservation, Management and Education
Algoma Highlands Conservancy
50,000.00
A master plan for the sustainable management of a binational conservancy in the province of Ontario and the state of Michigan.
Environmental Tool Kit for First Nations
Assembly of First Nations, Canada
10,000.00
Development of an environmental “tool kit” for First Nation’s people working on environmental issues.
Sustainable Ecotourism Program for the Ejido of the Salto de San Antón
Accion y Desarrollo Ecologico, A.C., Morelos, Mexico
95,000.00
Environment preservation and restoration combined with an economic plan for a marginal farming community in south-central Mexico.
Yellowstone to Yukon Grassroots Forum
Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society
66,600.00
A binational effort to protect migratory species and their habitats in the Rockies.
Laguna de San Ignacio: alternativas de desarrollo comunitario y aprovechamiento sustentable de recursos naturales en una reserva de la biosfera
CIRIO, Ambiente y Desarrollo Comunitario, A.C., Baja California Sur
60,500.00
Development of a Community Sustainable Development Plan for fishing communities located on the San Ignacio Lagoon in Baja California.
Integrated Ecological Planning as a Contribution to Improving Urban Environmental Infrastructure
Foundation for the Children of the Californias
70,000.00
The funds will support a trinational initiative for the design of an environmentally sound pediatric hospital in the Tijuana/San Diego region.
U-CAN
Friends of the Chicago River
20,400.00
Training of young guides to lead canoe tours on the Chicago River to encourage public participation in restoration work.
GreenHOME Demonstration: Environmental Building Technologies
Habitat for Humanity International (HHI)
70,700.00
A US initiative to design and construct an affordable, environmentally sound home, that can be replicated in the 1,344 HHI affiliates throughout North America.
Meeting the Habitat Requirements of Cavity-Dependent Wildlife: a Study Proposal
Manitoba Naturalist Society
70,000.00
The project will identify forestry protocols most appropriate for the conservation of tree cavity-dependent wildlife species in the Duck Mountains of Manitoba.
Guide de soutien pour une agriculture durable
Mouvement Vert Mauricie, Inc.
38,000.00
Development of a citizen’s guide which will provide specific tools to deal effectively with the expansion of the pork industry in Quebec.
Ordenamiento territorial en 5 ejidos forestales de la zona maya
Organizacion de Ejidos Productores Forestales de la zona maya
70,000.00
Five ejidos in the Yucatan peninsula will produce a detailed description of their environment, using a Geographic Information System (GIS) as a basis for sustainable development planning.
Environmental Justice for Farmworkers: A Binational Collaboration
Rural Coalition
83,000.00
A collaborative effort by farmworkers in the US and Mexico to enhance compliance and enforcement regarding pesticide use.
Cafe organico de los Bosques Nublados
Union de Organizaciones de la Sierra Juarez de Oaxaca
70,000.00
A program aimed at conversion to certified organic coffee production for export, while ensuring the conservation of mountain forests in Oaxaca, Mexico.
Netukullimk GIS Management Project
Union of Nova Scotia Indians, Canada
70,000.00
A Mi’kmaq First Nations organization will combine Geographic Information Systems with traditional knowledge to produce a tool to be used in the management, conservation and protection of their natural resources.
The DDT Dilemma: Seeking Alternatives which address community priorities.
World Wildlife Fund
100,000.00
A Mexico/US/Canada project to evaluate alternative methods of vector control and to increase community participation in the elimination of DDT and other persistent organic pollutants in North America. | 
