Environment
As part of our ongoing commitment to the environment and environmental education, Toyota Canada (TCI) and its Lexus and Toyota dealerships partnered with Evergreen in 2000 to create the Toyota Evergreen Learning Grounds Program, a program designed to transform Canadian school grounds into natural learning environments.
To date, TCI and its dealerships have contributed more than $4 million in sponsorship to help Evergreen provide the tools and support that students, teachers and communities need to turn often barren school properties into inviting play spaces and natural learning environments. The funds donated by TCI and its dealerships helps Evergreen provide groups that wish to green their school grounds with:
- Expert assistance through Evergreen and its Learning Ground Associates
- Resources that include comprehensive guidebooks on designing and creating natural school grounds; "how-to" manuals; instructional and inspirational videos; fact sheets; case studies; newsletters; and research reports
- Access to an online native plant database and project registry
- Funding grants ranging from $500 to $2,000 to assist schools in the purchase of native plants, heritage vegetables and berries and other resources
- Opportunities to build institutional support for their school ground greening through partnerships with school boards and districts across Canada
With our help, more than 265,000 students have participated in greening projects at over 600 schools across Canada. In 2006-07 alone, the program awarded $265,000 to 132 schools. Typical activities include planting native trees, shrubs and vines; planning shade and seating areas; creating vegetable gardens and other theme zones that transform the traditional asphalt school grounds into dynamic outdoor classrooms. Where possible, schools obtaining grants are matched with local Toyota dealerships for participation in various planting events.
For more information or to access school grant applications visit http://www.earthday.ca/scholarship/