Posted: April 24, 2023
$100,000 OTF Grant Helps Ottawa Riverkeeper Bounce Back
On Earth Day 2023, Ottawa Riverkeeper brought volunteers together for a shoreline cleanup, and to celebrate the rebuilding its volunteer capacity thanks to a grant from OTF.
Ottawa, April 22, 2023 – On a beautiful Saturday morning on the shores of the Ottawa River, Ottawa Riverkeeper hosted a cleanup for Earth Day. 81 volunteers rolled up their sleeves at Stanley Park to help the organization keep the river clean thanks to a $105,300 Resilient Communities Fund grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) aimed at rebuilding volunteer engagement after the COVID-19 pandemic. This cleanup event is the first of many volunteer activities planned throughout 2023 that will mobilize both new and existing volunteers to protect the health of the Ottawa River watershed.
Every year, Ottawa Riverkeeper engages hundreds of volunteers who generously give their time and energy to protect the incredible Ottawa River. During the pandemic, the organization successfully pivoted to virtual events and created an online cleanup platform (iCleanup.ca) for volunteers.
However, the loss of in-person volunteer opportunities impacted the volunteer experience for existing participants and decreased visibility with new volunteers in the community. This Earth Day cleanup is Ottawa Riverkeeper’s first large public cleanup in the National Capital since the pandemic, and a wonderful opportunity for people to learn about ways to volunteer throughout the year, connect with other volunteers, and take care of the watershed in a truly impactful way.
As Ottawa Riverkeeper rebuilds its volunteer programs, it is committed to re-imagining its volunteer programming through the lens of Justice, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (JEDI). With support from the Ontario Trillium Foundation, Ottawa Riverkeeper offered staff and its volunteer Board of Directors JEDI and anti-oppression training, worked with JEDI consultants to conduct an in-depth review of its existing volunteer programs, and built new processes and programs to create inviting, barrier-free, and relevant opportunities for new volunteers to join the organization.
In the midst of the pandemic, Laura Reinsborough arrived to lead the organization as its CEO and Riverkeeper. New to the job and new to the watershed, Laura recognizes the vital importance of building volunteer programs that are inclusive, inviting, and relevant. “I arrived here in a pandemic and am just so thrilled to finally meet past volunteers and welcome new volunteers who are out for the first time at the Earth Day cleanup. We’re excited to be back! Collaborative action for water protection means that we need everyone paddling together to make a difference. Thanks to OTF’s support, our new approaches to volunteering with Ottawa Riverkeeper are making that reality possible”
To learn more about Ottawa Riverkeeper and to find out about upcoming volunteer opportunities, visit ottawariverkeeper.ca and sign up for the Newsletter.
The Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF), an agency of the Government of Ontario, and one of Canada’s leading granting foundations, celebrates 40 years of grant-making in Ontario and making a lasting impact in communities. Last year, OTF invested over $110M into 1,022 community projects and partnerships, which included funding for the Government of Ontario’s Community Building Fund. Visit otf.ca to learn more.
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About Ottawa Riverkeeper
Ottawa Riverkeeper, a charitable organization, is a champion and collective voice for the Ottawa River watershed, providing leadership and inspiration to protect, promote and improve its ecological health and future. Expert and independent, our organization advocates for responsible and participatory decision-making, public education, access to information, and compliance with protective regulations. Guided by a science-based approach, we provide clear information with the aim to engage the public and empower citizens and decision-makers to ensure clean, healthy, and accessible water for all people and species.
For more information:
Matthew Brocklehurst, Communications Manager
media@ottawariverkeeper.ca
This was a great intiative. Bird-Friendly Ottawa is interested in joining up with the Overbrook Community Association and Action Sandy Hill next year to do a shoreline cleanup near Strathcona Park. This intiative would join two Wards near the Adàwe Crossing. Can you tell me how best to apply for your support?
Hi Deborah, we’d love to see this cleanup happen! You can contact our team by emailing us at volunteer@ottawariverkeeper.ca to get the conversation started.