A grant to McMaster University’s Let’s Talk Science! partnership supported students from at four Hamilton elementary schools to care for and hatch Atlantic salmon eggs in their classrooms over the winter, and then to re-introduce the fish into the Lake Ontario watershed.  Once a keystone species, these fish were eradicated from the lake in the late 1800s.  This program enables children to learn about the vital role they can play in protecting the environment.

 

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Ed Smee Conserver Society Environmental Fund

"Transfer in Trust in Recognition of Effective Fund Management of Hamilton Community Foundation"

The Conserver Society of Hamilton and District Inc. (the "Society") was established by individuals motivated to improve the quality of life of our community and advocates the following: frugality in the use of energy and other resources; sustainability; just distribution of resources over time; support of biological diversity; reduction of environmental contamination participation in neighbourhood decision making.

Mr. Ed Smee was the founding Chairman of the Society and served not only as a leader and mentor in his work as a volunteer with the Society, but also by example through his personal life working on environmental issues. Mr. Smee is credited by his friends at the Society with helping to create the first action plan for the Bay. The Board of Directors of the Society have established this Fund in Mr. Smee's honour. The Ed Smee Conserver Society Environmental Fund is a fund which supports environmental research projects.

Speaking of the Society's decision to transfer the Fund to the Hamilton Community Foundation, Marilyn Baxter, Treasurer of the Society and also past Executive Director of the Bay Area Restoration Council (BARC) states, "This is a good move for the Fund. There was great enthusiasm for the Fund initially, but our group now feels that it can be managed better at the Hamilton Community Foundation." Jim McDonald, a friend and member of the Society agrees, "We hope the Fund can be used to help continue the work of citizens like Mr. Smee in our community. We need to find a way to have a strong economy without sacrificing the environment - we all have to breathe the air. If we don't find a balance we all lose".

The Fund operates as a donor advised fund, with the Society recommending the recipient of the funds each year. Donations can be made to this fund to honour Mr. Smee's outstanding contribution to our community and to support the continuing work of the Society.

This Fund supports environmental projects including education and advocacy.