Posted: January 22, 2025
New ways to learn about the Ottawa River thanks to a $20,900 OTF grant
Ottawa-Vanier MPP Lucille Collard attended the launch of Ottawa Riverkeeper's new WaterSHED, a way for community members to access educational and shoreline cleanup materials.
Ottawa, ON – On Wednesday, local MPP Lucille Collard met with the team at Ottawa Riverkeeper to hear more about the $20,900 Capital grant from the provincial government’s Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) that was used to establish the organization’s new WaterSHED/EntrepEAU. The WaterSHED is a new community sharing shed, providing easy access to educational resources related to the river, watershed, and the environment, plus shoreline cleanup materials for community members to borrow. The project will help educators, community groups, and curious minds of all ages learn about and get hands-on with protecting their local waterways.
“Ottawa Riverkeeper’s unwavering commitment to a healthy watershed is essential to our region’s future,” said Lucille Collard, MPP for Ottawa—Vanier.
“By uniting volunteers, businesses, communities, and Indigenous partners, they empower all of us to understand and protect the Ottawa River for generations to come. Their dedication to education, research, and collaborative action reminds us that caring for our water is not just an environmental priority, but a collective responsibility we all share.”
The WaterSHED/EntrepEAU is a newly installed sharing shed located near Ottawa Riverkeeper’s offices at the NCC River House. For many years, Ottawa Riverkeeper has been developing and building up a robust Learning Library, filled with educational resources for the community to borrow. Now these resources will be more accessible than ever, with a streamlined booking and borrowing system made possible by the new storage space. Additionally, community groups will be able to leverage Ottawa Riverkeeper’s extensive shoreline cleanup equipment to plan and execute their own cleanup events, keeping local waterways cleaner than ever!
“The opening of the WaterSHED/EntrepEAU is a new way for people to engage with the Ottawa River, making it easier for teachers to access excellent resources to bring river education into their classrooms,” said Laura Reinsborough, Riverkeeper & CEO. “With the launch of the WaterSHED, we’re empowering students, schools, and community volunteers to deepen their learning and take hands-on action for the health of our waterways. There’s no better way to protect a river long-term than to foster a sense of care and responsibility among the next generation.”
The introduction of the WaterSHED/EntrepEAU is just the latest step in expanding Ottawa Riverkeeper’s educational resources to a wider audience. Many of the learning tools available are regular features of the organization’s Learning Lab, located on the lower floor of the NCC River House, and often used as part of River School, Ottawa Riverkeeper’s recently launched educational program. With the opening of WaterSHED/EntrepEAU, the organization is reaching more students, community members, and local groups to teach about the Ottawa River than ever before.
Ottawa Riverkeeper, a charitable organization, is a champion 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.
“Whether it’s helping people learn new things, connect with their community, or simply have fun, organizations like Ottawa Riverkeeper deliver experiences that make a difference,” said Stan Cho, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Gaming. “That’s why grant support through the Ontario Trillium Foundation is so important. This funding will help ensure they remain at the heart of the community for decades to come.”
The Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) is an agency of the Ontario government with a mission to build healthy and vibrant communities across the province. Last year, OTF invested more than $110M into 1,044 community projects and multi-sector partnerships. Projects aim to enhance economic well-being, foster more active lifestyles, support child and youth development, provide spaces for people to come together and connect, and create a more sustainable environment. Visit otf.ca to learn more.
– 30 –
Contact for Media Inquiries:
Matthew Brocklehurst, Communications Manager
Ottawa Riverkeeper
613-321-1120 ext. 1001
mbrocklehurst@ottawariverkeeper.ca