The Manitoba government has provided over $5.4 million to support over 700 community organizations, municipalities and provincial parks that are delivering Green Team projects during the summer of 2018.
“We’re pleased to help young Manitobans get involved in the community to conserve and protect the many great areas of our province we enjoy and hold dear,” said Premier Brian Pallister. “These investments also support youth recreation and volunteer opportunities, as well as programs aimed specifically at Indigenous youth, visible minority youth and youth with a disability.”
Green Team provides grants to hire youth to work on community projects between May 1 and Aug. 31.
“More than 1,200 young Manitobans are employed in Green Team programs this summer,” said Sustainable Development Minister Rochelle Squires. “These programs provide valuable work experience for young Manitobans through projects that improve both natural and built environments around the province.”
The program is split into multiple streams: urban (Winnipeg), hometown (all other municipalities), and conservation (provincial parks). Eligible recipients include non-profit organizations under both streams, and rural municipalities under the hometown stream. Priority is given to programs in designated Neighbourhoods Alive! communities and those in northern Manitoba.
Green Team funding through Manitoba Sustainable Development also supports provincial parks by creating roles for youth interested in working with wildlife, in forestry, or assisting at interpretive centres.
“Save Our Seine is very grateful to the province for the annual funding it receives through the Urban Green Team program,” said Michele Kadi, executive director, Save Our Seine. “The reason that Save Our Seine was formed in 1990 was to clean-up this neglected little urban river and return it to its natural beauty. With funding from the Urban Green Team program, we are able to hire hard-working youth to keep the river clean and navigable.”
From riverbank stabilization efforts to animal care at wildlife havens, the Green Team lives up to its name. Non-profit organizations receive 100 per cent of wage costs and $250 per position for support costs. Municipal governments receive 50 per cent of wage costs and $125 per position for support costs, on a cost-shared basis.
