Loyalist Township winner of Sustainable Communities Award
Loyalist Township announced it has been selected as a winner of a 2020 Sustainable Communities Award for exceptional work in the Water category, according to a media release dated Monday, Sept. 14, 2020. The Sustainable Communities Award honours and celebrates the most innovative environmental initiatives in cities and communities across Canada.
According to the release, Loyalist Township received the 2020 Sustainable Communities Award for the Amherstview Water Pollution Control Plant Constructed Wetland. In 2018, a constructed wetland was incorporated into the Amherstview Water Pollution Control Plant. The system provides tertiary treatment to wastewater in a passive, net-zero energy manner and the plants act as a carbon sink.
“Being a municipal leader in climate action and environmental stewardship is an objective that Loyalist Township Council has prioritized through the Strategic Plan,” said Loyalist Township Mayor, Ric Bresee. “The constructed wetland at the Amherstview Water Pollution Control Plant is a great example of Loyalist Township’s commitment to pursue initiatives supporting sustainable environmental management.”
“Loyalist Township is thankful for the support from the Federation of Canadian Municipalities,” Bresee added. “We look forward to continuing on the path to sustainability with the support of our FCM partners.”
Loyalist Township is one of 11 municipalities across the country chosen by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) for their outstanding efforts in one of nine categories: asset management, brownfields, climate change, energy, neighbourhoods, transportation, waste, water and a new category in honour of GMF’s 20th anniversary, according to the release.
The Sustainable Communities Awards is an initiative of FCM’s Green Municipal Fund (GMF), a $1 billion program, delivered through the Federation of Canadian Municipalities and funded by the Government of Canada.
Winners will each deliver a live, TED-talk-style presentation on their projects at FCM’s virtual Sustainable Communities Conference – held October 20 to 22, 2020. Recipients in each category are also eligible for the Inspire Award, given to the most creative and innovative project following the conference.
The winning communities were announced on Monday, Sept 14, 2020 by FCM. Full details and list of winners can be found on the FCM website: https://fcm.ca/en/news-media/gmf/announcing-2020-sustainable-community-award-winners.
“Local solutions—scaled up—deliver major national impact, like economic growth and the emission reductions Canada needs to meet its climate change goals,” said Bill Karsten, President of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities. “Whether it is through improved energy efficiency, fewer greenhouse gas emissions or stronger local infrastructure, local governments get the job done efficiently and cost-effectively because they connect solutions to local needs and local realities. This year’s FCM Sustainable Communities Award winners embody those principles of sustainability and collaboration. Moreover, they exemplify how municipal innovation can have concrete impacts and deliver for Canadians.”